Final Score: Mets 4, Nationals 2—Jake up, Yo down

The Mets won the series opener in the nation’s capitol, beating the Nationals 4-2. The Nats were running out a lineup full of part time players, but the Mets took the opportunity given to them and got a win against their division rival.

Jacob deGrom started for the Mets and was magnificent, throwing seven and two-thirds innings, giving up just one run on four hits while striking out ten and walking one. He even collected his fourteenth hit of the season off Nationals starter A.J. Cole. deGrom’s last four starts have all been frustrating for one reason or another, so it was nice to see the Mets’ sole remaining ace look dominant.

What wasn’t so nice was seeing Yoenis Cespedes leave the game in the first, tweaking his right hamstring in the top of the first inning. Despite losing Cespedes, the Mets were able to outscore the Nationals’ clear B-lineup. After two walks and a single led to a run in the first, the Mets scored two runs in the eighth on doubles by Juan Lagares and Asdrubal Cabrera, along with a sacrifice fly by Dominic Smith.

The Nats scored a run in the eighth, chasing deGrom from the game, but Jerry Blevins struck out Daniel Murphy to end the threat. In the top of the ninth, Lagares drove in Brandon Nimmo with the fourth run of the game, and gave the Mets’ beleaguered bullpen a little extra breathing room.

They would need the room, as AJ Ramos gave up a lead-off home run to Adam Lind, to bring the Nats within two. Ramos made things interesting, putting the tying and winning runs on base, but escaped with just the one run.

Full recap to follow.

GameThread Roll Call

Nice job by MetsFan4Decades; her effort in the GameThread embiggens us all.

1. MetsFan4Decades: 181
2. olderfan62: 88
3. Catastrophic: 63
4. NateW: 55
5. LaRomaBella: 45
6. JR and the Off-Balance Shots: 42
7. OuttaHereOuttaHere: 38
8. David G: 31
9. The Nameless One: 25
10. LouMonte7: 24