Final Score: Mets 8, Nationals 6—Raindrops, Runs, and Relievers

In a marathon 4 hour and 14 minute mess of a ballgame, the Mets pulled off an 8-6 victory, despite less than ideal conditions for both clubs. Both starting pitchers left the game early and neither bullpen was particularly sharp, making for a long afternoon.

The Mets got off to a quick 1-0 lead, building a small ball run in the first inning. But the Nationals took the lead in the third, putting up a three spot against Steven Matz and chasing him from the game early. Matz had to work around traffic in all three innings he pitched and exited after 76 pitches through three innings.

The Mets were able to give the bullpen a large cushion to work with as they broke the game open in middle innings, punishing Erick Fedde for issuing four base on balls in his 3 ¹⁄₃ innings of work. The offense unloaded for four runs in the fourth, two in the fifth, and one in the sixth to build an 8-3 lead.

The Mets’ bullpen held firm until the eighth inning when Mickey Callaway chose to send Drew Smith out for a second inning of work. That decision came back to bite him, as Smith gave up four straight hits to lead off the inning and was charged with three runs before finally being removed in favor of Jerry Blevins. Blevins and Anthony Swarzak combined to put out the fire and finish out the game, as the Nationals’ attempted comeback fell short.

Full recap to follow.

GameThread Roll Call

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

1. MetsFan4Decades: 180
2. JR and the Off-Balance Shots: 70
3. doctor prancer: 63
4. stickguy: 50
5. deegie: 47
6. BK_Machetero3191: 28
7. AnneInFlushing: 25
8. The Nameless One: 21
9. ChrisCanzoneri: 20
10. David in Politics: 16