Mets vs. Nationals Recap: deGrom and Scherzer duel, but bats can’t beat the Nats

Despite the predictions, the world did not end today. This means that as a whole, humanity is spared and will continue to prosper until the next threat approaches. It also means that the Mets had to play their final season series game against the Nationals. So, actually, its kind of a draw.

A marquee pitching matchup highlighted the Sunday rubber game, as Jacob deGrom faced off against Max Scherzer. deGrom fanned Trea Turner and Alejandro de Aza to open up the first frame, then allowed a triple to Daniel Murphy. Murphy sent a well-hit ball towards Nori Aoki, who seemingly misplayed the hit and allowed Murphy to reach third. With a man in scoring position, deGrom struck out Anthony Rendon to end the top half of the first.

Scherzer took the game’s first lump, allowing a solo home run to Brandon Nimmo in the first inning.

In the third inning, deGrom allowed a single from Jose Lobaton. Scherzer was next to the plate, and bunted to push Lobaton to second. The bunt play was ultimately unsuccessful, as Trea Turner hit a two-run homer in his next at-bat.

Both pitchers continued to trade strikeouts until the fifth inning, when Michael Taylor singled his way on base. With Lobaton now at bat, Taylor stole second and then advanced to third on an errant throw from Travis d’Arnaud. Lobaton singled to bring Taylor home and add an unearned run.

The Mets tacked on an addition run during the eighth inning. Juan Lagares started the inning with a single, and was pushed to third on a single from Aoki. Wanting to join in the fun, Jose Reyes hit a single to plate Lagares and bring the game to within a run. d’Arnaud walked to load the bases against Ryan Madson. The Nationals brought in Sammy Solis to relieve Madson, and he quickly struck out Kevin Plawecki to end the inning.

A pair of singles from Lagares and Amed Rosario represented the Mets last hopes in the bottom of the ninth, but Brandon Kintzler coaxed ground outs from Matt Reynolds and Nori Aoki to get the save and end the game.

deGrom wore the loss, bringing his record to 15-10. He struck out 11 batters over six innings.

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What’s WPA?

Big winners: Jose Reyes +16.3% WPA, Juan Lagares +12.7% WPA
Big losers: Kevin Plawecki -19.5% WPA, Nori Aoki -18.9% WPA, Jacob deGrom -10.4% WPA

Teh aw3s0mest play: Juan Lagares ninth inning RBI single 12.4 WPA
Teh sux0rest play: Nori Aoki ninth inning groundout -23.2 WPA
Total pitcher WPA: -0.17%
Total batter WPA: -48.3%
GWRBI!: Jose Lobaton fifth inning RBI single