The slumping New York Mets hit the road to face the resilient Washington Nationals in the opener of a three-game series on Monday.
After a players-only meeting led to two quick wins, the Mets reverted to their recent form and dropped the final two games of a four-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, most recently falling 5-4 on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Washington salvaged the finale of a three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday to complete a 4-3 road trip that included four games against the Atlanta Braves. The Nationals return home to continue a stretch of 17 games without a day off.
Washington’s bullpen locked down a 5-2 win with three scoreless innings on Sunday, with Kyle Finnegan getting his 16th save in 18 tries.
“I always say the three constants are we’ve got to pitch, we’ve got to play good defense and we’ve got to run the bases well,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. “The hitting will be there some days. Some days we’ve got to scratch and claw. But if we continue to do that, we can play. We can play with anybody.”
Washington left-hander MacKenzie Gore (4-4, 2.91 ERA) will face right-hander Tylor Megill (0-2, 1.69) on Monday.
Gore is 2-1 with a 2.19 ERA over his past four starts. In his previous start, he gave up two runs (one earned) in 5 1/3 innings as the Nationals beat the Braves 7-2 on Wednesday. Gore struck out 10 without issuing a walk.
Gore is 1-1 with a 2.40 ERA in three career starts vs. the Mets.
Megill is set to make his fourth start of the season and third since his return from a stint on the 15-day injured list due to a right shoulder strain. He pitched a gem last Tuesday, tossing seven scoreless innings in a no-decision vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers. Megill allowed three hits and a walk while striking out nine.
“I’d say one of them,” Megill said when asked if it was one of the best starts of his career. “That felt good. Kept the pitch count down, kept balls in play, minimized walks.”
Megill is 3-2 with a 5.55 ERA in six career appearances (five starts) against the Nationals.
The Mets were on the verge of winning their series against the Diamondbacks on Sunday before faltering. Starter Jose Quintana lasted just four innings, but the bullpen tossed four scoreless frames and New York took a 4-3 lead into the ninth. Jake Diekman couldn’t close it out, though, and Arizona’s Ketel Marte smacked a two-run homer for the 5-4 win.
New York finished 3-7 on its homestand.
“Not good,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We have to play better, especially here at home in front of our fan base. We have to turn the page. Now we go on a road trip, and we have to start getting some W’s.”
Washington won Sunday without shortstop CJ Abrams (jammed left shoulder) and outfielder Jacob Young (hand swelling). Joey Meneses had a two-run double and Lane Thomas singled home a run and plated another with a sacrifice fly.
“To win the majority of the road trip against two teams that have played really well so far this year is a win in everyone’s mind,” Thomas said. “Going forward, I think we have a chance to beat a lot more good teams.”
–Field Level Media