The Mets (30-35) lost to the Nationals (40-26) by a score of 8-3 in game the first matchup of a four-game set.
Pitching
Robert Gsellman took the ball in this one and struggled as he gave up the most runs in his major league career.
He gave up a line drive home run in the first inning to Bryce Harper. The second inning started off poorly when Jose Reyes couldn’t field a grounder cleanly and Anthony Rendon doubled off the bag. Gsellman buckled down and generated weak contact to escape the jam.
In the fourth inning though, he gave up a RBI Single to Gio Gonzalez. In the fifth, Daniel Murphy doubled over the bag to drive in two, Anthony Rendon singled him home, and Michael Taylor hit a two-run homer.
On the brighter side: Rafael Montero came in and pitched three perfect innings. With a starting rotation spot open next week, he should get heavy consideration with this outing.
Offense
The offense struggled in this one against lefty Gio Gonzalez. They scored on back-to-back doubles in the fourth and had solo home runs from Rene Rivera and Wilmer Flores.
T.J. Rivera was the only Met on the night that had two hits.
The good news: the Mets face a righty tomorrow which allows them to use their optimal offense.
The bad news: the righty is Max Scherzer.
Injuries
The Mets lost Juan Lagares in the fifth inning and later announced he had a fractured thumb. The same thumb he had surgery on last season.
Up Next
Steven Matz goes for the Mets as they take on Max Scherzer and the Nationals in a 7:10 game.
