Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets hosted the Washington Nationals in the nightcap of Tuesday’s doubleheader. After securing a win in the afternoon, the Mets needed to take another game to keep any hopes of winning the National League East alive. Even with steady rain throughout the majority of the day, both games were able to be played in full.

The Mets offense propelled the team past the Nationals early in the game, and they never looked back. The Mets beat the Nationals by the score of 8-0 at night. Despite the doubleheader sweep, the Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins during Game 2, cementing Atlanta at the top of the NL East.

The Mets offense shot out of a cannon in the bottom of the first inning. They began the nightcap with back-to-back-to-back home runs, giving them a quick three-run lead. Brandon Nimmo, Francisco Lindor and Jeff McNeil all homered into the right-field seats to get the offense started.

It was the first time in Mets history that they started the game with three straight home runs.

The scoring did not stop there in the first. The next three Mets’ hitters would reach base safely to load the bases. Mark Canha his a sacrfice fly, then Luis Guillorme ripped a double down the first base line to bring Daniel Vogelbach in for a run. Nimmo recorded a two-run single in his second at-bat of the inning, giving the Mets a seven-run lead in the first.

Nationals’ starting pitcher Paolo Espino was taken out of the game after recording just one out. Espino recorded his ninth loss of the season, never picking up a victory this year in 19 starts.

Taijuan Walker tossed 4 1/3 scoreless innings for the Mets tonight, though he was removed moments after the Braves clinched the NL East. It was the first time Walker didn’t reach five or more innings in a start since a short outing in Atlanta on August 16. Despite not getting deep into the game, he struck out 10 while only allowing four hits. With the Mets postseason rotation slated to begin with Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt, Walker made a strong case to be the Mets’ fourth postseason starter if needed.

McNeil, on the other hand, helped his case for the National League batting title by homering in the first inning. He currently leads Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman for the league lead (.326 vs. .323 at publish).

If McNeil holds on, he would become the second Mets player to earn the honor. Many fans may remember the infamous José Reyes batting title in 2011, when he bunted for a base hit in his final game with the Mets (at least at the time) and proceeded to leave the game immediately after to edge out former Brewers-slugger Ryan Braun for the title.

Stephen Nogosek was called up as the Mets’ 29th man for the doubleheader and tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief. In his first big league appearance since August 20, he picked up six strikeouts and allowed just three hits.

Francisco Álvarez, coming in during a trove of moves to get main starters rest after the divison was out of reach, launched a solo shot deep into the night sky to collect his first big league hit in the sixth inning. He subbed in for Nimmo’s spot in the order and took over the catching duties with James McCann sliding to first base for the remainder of the game. Álvarez picked up his first career hit, RBI and run with one swing of the bat.

In his second at bat, Álvarez scorched a double off of the base of the left field wall. The exit velocity reached 107.8 mph.

Tylor Megill finished the shutout of the Nationals’ offense, tossing two scoreless innings in relief. He may have a spot in the Mets bullpen for the postseason, after coming back from injury in September.

It was the Mets’ 19th shutout of the season.

Player of the Game: Brandon Nimmo

Nimmo had himself quite the day. After accumulating three RBIs in the day game, he quickly secured three more RBIs in the first inning of game two. He led the game off with a solo shot into the bullpen in right-center field. Nimmo finished his day going 3-3 with three RBIs. He was locked in all day and played an enormous role in the day/night sweep.

On Deck

The Mets will play their final 2022 regular season game on Wednesday afternoon against the Nationals–he same team they opened the season against. There has not been a confirmed starting pitcher for New York, but with Megill getting work in the night cap, and no playoff seeding to play for, signs point to David Peterson to get the nod. Erick Fedde will take the hill for the Nationals.