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Final Score: Mets 3, Nationals 0—Vargy Livin’ Largey

The Mets came out on top of an unexpected pitcher’s duel and Jay Bruce hit a home run in his return from the disabled list.

By Allison McCague
Washington Nationals v New York Mets Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images

Jason Vargas had his best start in a Mets uniform tonight, shutting out the Nationals over six innings of work, striking out eight. Gio Gonzalez was almost equally as good, holding the Mets to just one run in seven innings.

The Mets’ only run off Gonzalez came in the first inning, when Amed Rosario led off with a single and stole second base. Jeff McNeil then made a productive out, sending Rosario to third on a groundout. Wilmer Flores singled in Rosario to put the Mets on the board early.

But the game remained tight into the late innings, as Vargas and Gonzalez traded zeros until both of their nights were over. The Mets won the battle of the bullpens. Seth Lugo faced six batters and retired them all, giving the Mets scoreless seventh and eighth innings.

Jeff McNeil led off the eighth for the Mets with a walk against Koda Glover. Glover then rebounded and got two outs, but Dave Martinez then brought in the lefty Tim Collins to face Jay Bruce, who had been hitless in his return to the Mets’ lineup to this point. Bruce didn’t go hitless in this at-bat; he belted a two run homer to center field to give the Mets some insurance.

Robert Gsellman didn’t need it, though. He worked around a one-out double from Anthony Rendon to secure the victory for the Mets and earn his eighth save of the season.

Full recap to follow.

GameThread Roll Call

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

  1. MetsFan4Decades: 78
  2. Badcardio Elf on Sue: 45
  3. YuretRastin: 41
  4. deegie: 38
  5. Knurk: 35
  6. Allison McCague: 28
  7. JR and the Off-Balance Shots: 28
  8. AnneInFlushing: 24
  9. Russ: 22
  10. stickguy: 22

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