The New York Mets continued their encouraging post-trade-deadline stretch Friday night, defeating the Washington Nationals 4-1 behind home runs from Francisco Lindor and Jared Young and another strong late-game performance from their pitching staff.
The victory gave the Mets their seventh win in their last 10 games since the Aug. 3 trade deadline, providing another positive result for a team looking to build momentum during the final portion of the season. New York overcame an early deficit and broke the game open with timely hitting in the middle and late innings.
Lindor played a central role in the turnaround. After committing a fielding error in the third inning that helped Washington score its only run, the Mets shortstop responded at the plate by launching a home run in the sixth inning. His solo shot erased the Nationals’ advantage and helped shift the momentum in New York’s favor.
Three batters after Lindor’s home run, Carson Benge delivered the go-ahead RBI single, putting the Mets ahead and giving the club its first lead of the night.
Young then provided another important blow in the seventh inning. With one out, he connected for a home run that extended New York’s advantage and gave the Mets some much-needed breathing room. Bo Bichette followed with an RBI single, completing the scoring and pushing the Mets to a three-run lead.
The Mets’ offense finished the night with enough timely production to overcome a strong performance from Washington starter Andrew Alvarez. Alvarez had been particularly difficult to beat coming into the game, allowing only one hit before Lindor’s sixth-inning homer.
The home run was especially notable because it ended an extraordinary stretch for Alvarez. He had gone 56 2/3 innings without allowing a home run, making it the first long ball he had surrendered during the season. That represented the fourth-longest homerless streak by a Nationals pitcher since the franchise moved to Washington in 2005.
Despite allowing the two runs, Alvarez continued to show why he has been one of Washington’s more reliable starters. He struck out four Mets hitters and was charged with two runs over 5 2/3 innings. He has now allowed two runs or fewer in eight of his 10 starts this season.
New York’s pitching staff also played a major role in protecting the lead.
Mets starter Robert Stock kept Washington from producing a big offensive inning, allowing only one unearned run while striking out five over 4 1/3 innings. The only run against him came after Lindor’s third-inning error helped keep the Nationals’ rally alive.
Jonathan Pintaro followed with two scoreless innings of relief and earned his first Major League victory. His performance helped stabilize the Mets after Stock departed and gave the offense an opportunity to build its lead.
The Mets then turned to Kodai Senga for the ninth inning, and the right-hander once again demonstrated his growing importance in the bullpen.
Senga entered a difficult situation with two outs and runners on first and second but escaped the threat by striking out Abimelec Ortiz to secure his second save of the season.
The save also continued an unusual development for Senga. The former Mets starter struggled significantly during the early portion of the season, going 0-8 with an 8.66 ERA across his first 13 appearances. Since moving into a relief role, however, he has taken on a new responsibility for the club.
With Devin Williams placed on the injured list Monday, Senga has recorded both of the Mets’ saves.
Washington’s offense was led by All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams, who had an eventful night despite the Nationals’ loss. Abrams scored the Nationals’ only run after reaching base and advancing to third following Lindor’s fielding error. Brady House then drove him home with a third-inning single.
Abrams also stole a base, drew two walks and was hit by a pitch, giving him several opportunities to reach base against the Mets.
The game came as Abrams began preparing for a potential defensive position change. Earlier Friday, he started working out at second base as Washington prepares to move him away from shortstop. Despite the adjustment, Abrams remained one of the Nationals’ most active offensive players.
For New York, the win continues a stretch of improved baseball since the trade deadline. Winning seven of 10 games since Aug. 3 has given the Mets renewed momentum and offered signs that the club may be capable of making a stronger push as the season progresses.
Lindor’s ability to immediately respond to his defensive mistake was particularly significant. His error helped create Washington’s only run, but rather than allowing the mistake to affect him, he delivered the game-tying home run and helped spark the Mets’ comeback.
Young’s seventh-inning homer and Benge’s go-ahead hit then gave New York the offensive cushion it needed, while the bullpen handled the rest.
The Mets will look to make it two straight wins when the teams meet again Saturday.
Washington is scheduled to send right-hander Brad Lord to the mound. Lord enters the matchup with a 5-2 record and a 3.79 ERA. New York will counter with left-hander Sean Manaea, who is 4-5 with a 4.13 ERA.
With the Mets gaining momentum and the Nationals continuing to search for consistency, Saturday’s matchup will provide another opportunity for New York to extend its recent run of success.
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