Mets Look Like A Complete Team In Win Over Nationals

The New York Mets showed signs of being a complete team both offensively and defensively in Sunday’s 4-0 win over the Washington Nationals.

The Mets struck first in the bottom of the first inning when J.D. Davis, who owns Patrick Corbin in his career, jumped on a 3-1 hanging breaking ball for a two-run home run.

The offense scored four runs total via Davis’ two-run homer, James McCann‘s RBI single in the fourth, and Pete Alonso‘s solo shot in the bottom of the fifth — all off of Corbin.

Manager Luis Rojas featured a different lineup against the lefty, which saw Alonso in the No. 2 hole, Francisco Lindor third and Davis batting cleanup, which paid off. Davis collected a 3-for-4, two-RBI day with a homer, while Alonso drew two walks and blasted a home run.

“I felt we had a great plan today. And we shuffled up the lineup and we had a really good game plan against Corbin,” said Alonso.

Along with his homer, Alonso also shined in the field with two diving stops, with his second one coming for the final out in the ninth inning.

“I thought we played extremely crisp today. It was really nice both offensively and defensively. We were a really tough team to face today and it was a great team win.”

“I’m always looking to make plays for my guys and am always ready whenever the ball is hit to me. I’m really pleased I could make a sweet play for Sugar (Edwin Diaz),” said Alonso.

In addition to the run support, Mets right-hander Taijuan Walker also received some strong defensive plays behind him across seven shutout innings.

In the top of the third, Victor Robles was thrown out at third trying to stretch an extra-base hit into a triple. He was ultimately gunned down on a perfect relay execution by Michael Conforto, who hit cut-off man Jonathan Villar, who then fired a strike to Davis at third to get Robles.

However, the biggest play of the day came in the top of the sixth inning from center fielder Albert Almora, who was making his first start of the season.

With first-and-third and two outs, outfielder Kyle Schwarber gave the ball a ride to the wall in center, but Almora was able to get a great jump on it going back to chase it down and make a leaping catch before crashing into the wall.

This spectacular play saved two runs and got Walker out of a huge jam. According to Almora, he knew he was going to make the catch if it was in play.

“I’m kind of an all out guy. I put the team first and I just want to make the play, man. If it was in the ballpark, I knew I was going to catch it,” said Almora.

Almora, the hero of the game, credited the entire defense and believes it translated over offensively, as well.

As for Walker, Almora’s amazing catch gave him an energy boost, which allowed him to go back out for another inning. “It definitely wasn’t my best (game). I had to grind and make pitches. After Almora made the catch, I picked up that energy and was able to go out for the 7th,” said Walker.

“Give it up to the defense, they came through for me. And the offense putting up runs early helped me and let me attack with my pitches.”

Rojas believes Sunday’s contest portrayed what kind of team the Mets can be in the field moving forward.

“Pitching and defense. Those are going to give you a chance to win,” said Rojas.

After getting swept in Chicago, and having a rough day against the Nationals on Saturday, the Mets took two out of three in the series from their division rivals.

They now will get a day off on Monday before hosting the Boston Red Sox in the first contest of a two-game set on Tuesday night with left-hander David Peterson on the mound.