The resurgent Mets avoided a major letdown after their dramatic win over the Yankees, defeating the Washington Nationals 2-1 on Thursday to split the four-game series.
New York’s only runs came on a single by Bo Bichette in the third that drove in Luis Torrens and MJ Melendez.
But Bichette’s hit was all they needed, thanks to a solid start by David Peterson and flawless work by the bullpen. Peterson gave up just one run on four hits and three walks over five innings, striking out three. He escaped major trouble in the fifth, allowing just one run to score after putting runners on second and third with no outs. Mark Vientos saved the day with a diving play on a screaming grounder by CJ Abrams to end the inning and keep the Mets ahead.
“He’s a really good pitcher that went through struggles, but we believe in him,” said Carlos Mendoza of Peterson after the game. “Now it’s time for him to continue to do that and he will.”
Relievers Huascar Brazobán, Brooks Raley and Luke Weaver each held the Nationals hitless over four innings. The Mets had a chance to add insurance runs in the ninth, loading the bases with none out, but failed to score.
Fortunately, Devin Williams continued to resemble the lights-out closer he was a few years ago. He gave up a wind-aided double in the ninth, but secured the victory for his seventh save. Williams has now gone ten consecutive outings without being scored upon.
“If we can have a lead and get to our back end, I like it a lot”, said Williams about the pen after the game.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Peterson had one of his finest outings of the season to secure the win, despite limited run support. He improved to 3-4 with a 5.03 ERA and 1.55 WHIP.
UP NEXT
The Mets have a chance to finally climb out of the NL East basement as they begin a three-game series against the Miami Marlins, who are also 22-28 and have lost 11 of their last 17 games. New York goes up against righty Eury Pérez (2–6, 5.33 ERA). Mendoza hasn’t named a starter yet, but Jonah Tong (1-3, 5.68 ERA for Triple-A Syracuse), who was scratched from his scheduled minor league start on Wednesday, is under consideration for a spot start. Game time is 7:10 PM EDT on WPIX.
