FLUSHING, NY, August 13 – The New York Mets defeated the Washington Nationals 8-2 to earn a fraction of the four-game series Thursday afternoon at Citi Field. The Mets scored 13 hits and three home runs with two for catchers Tomas Nido. Rookie pitcher David Peterson continues to amaze by winning his third game in four starts.
Peterson Battles
David Peterson has the ability to get into trouble and get out of it calmly. Though Mets’ defense helped put Peterson in a hole on Thursday just to save him. After walking Trea Turner which brings out the game Adam Eaton hit a setter in front of the plate. Catcher Tomas Nido picked up the ball and shot it at second base. Andres Gimenez he couldn’t reach the ball as he sailed towards midfield creating the Nationals early in the game.
With the runners in second and third, Starlin castro he walked to load the bases carrying on Met killer Juan Soto. Like any Mets fan he feared the worst Peterson hit him looking at three shots. Howie Kendrick was next and hit a groundball at Peterson’s feet. When Peterson spotted the ball, he fired at first base for the second elimination, but Turner scored the first run of the games. If Peterson had fielded the ball cleanly, it would have been an easy double-cross.
The next was Asdrubal Cabrera that hit a guide line on the left. Jeff McNeil ran back to the left wall to grab the hold. In the process, McNeil slammed his knee into the wall. McNeil secured the ball as it fell to the ground to finish the innings. But McNeil should have been taken off the pitch.
Mets Slug Three Homers
The Mets came up on the board at the end of the second inning when Dominic Smith crushed a 2-0 shot from Austin Voth beyond the wall of the midfield. Smith has since started catching bats regularly Yoenis coeredes he refused and is the team leader in home runs with four and RBI with 12.
In the fourth inning Tomas Nido’s show began. Smith opened the innings with a brace in midfield. After a groundout, Nido hit a long home run to the left midfield giving the Mets a 3-1 lead. In the fifth inning, Seth Romero raised Voth and with one out Michael Comfort is Pete Alonso singles back to back. After Smith struck, Gimenez walked loading the foundations for Nido. Romero would have preceded Nido 0-2, but he grooved a quick ball which Nido took deep on the left field for a grand slam. Romero, who was making his Major League debut, had never pitched over Single-A.
Peterson, Mets Pen dominate Nats
David Peterson got into a rut after the first inning and only allowed two base runners in the next four innings. In total, Peterson pitched five innings allowing for one strike, two walks and one unearned run with three strikeouts. Jared Hughes he lifted Peterson and pitched two innings allowing Juan Soto only one home run.
Edwin diaz he pitched the eighth inning and despite allowing two runners to reach base he pitched well. Adam Eaton had an infield hit and Soto mistakenly reached Jd davis. With two runners up and one out, Diaz knocked out Howie Kendrick and Asdrubal Cabrera. Brad Brach he loaded the bases in the ninth inning but was able to throw an inning to zero.
The Mets bullpen has really picked it up in their last three games. In 14 innings pitched the fence allowed four runs out of 11 hits, three walks and eliminated 16 hitters.
Expulsions and warnings
At the end of the third inning with Pete Alonso in the pot, the Nationals began to question the frontcourt of home referee Carlos Torres. After looking towards the bench, Torres ejected the Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg who was in the stands. With no fans present, Strasburg’s comments were heard loud and clear by everyone on the pitch and watching home. Strasburg yelled “You are (expletive) brutal” and was expelled immediately.
JD Davis was hit by an Austin Voth fastball in the bottom of the third inning. The next inning Juan Soto was hit by David Peterson. Both banks have been warned. Soto seemed to glance at Peterson but nothing would happen. Soto went 7 of 15 with four home runs and eight runs during the four-game series and continued to haunt the Mets.
Inside the Box Score
Brandon Nimmo scored a double leadoff that extended his winning streak by 34 games. The streak equals Pete Alonso and Carlos Delgado for the third in the history of the franchise. Michael Conforto also extended a positive streak. After walking into the third inning, Conforto reached base in 21 consecutive games. Alonso beat fifth for the second consecutive game. Luis Guillorme started his third straight game at second base and has five wins in nine battles.
Notes on injuries
Jeff McNeil has been diagnosed with a left knee contusion and is currently listed as day-to-day, but he is not expected to play this weekend when the Mets travel to Philadelphia. Amed Rosario he is still battling a stomach ache and has missed his third straight game. Robinson Cano Wednesday he played in a simulated game but was unable to train before yesterday’s game due to the towel left on the pitch with the threat of morning rain. The Mets are hoping to get Cano back for Friday night’s game.
What’s next
The Mets put out their streak of two straight wins on Friday night when they open a three-game streak with the Philadelphia Phillies. Mets ace Jacob deGrom (2-0, 2.45) kicks off for New York. The Phillies have not yet announced their starting pitcher.
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