Mets Take Series Opener Against the Nats
The Mets bats continue to click as they cruised their way to a 6–2 victory on a chilly and windy night in the nation’s capital. A stellar performance from Noah Syndergaard helped the club on their way to their third straight win, hitting the .500 mark.
Wilson Ramos got things started for the Mets in the first inning with a grand slam that just cleared the left field fence. Ramos is known for his ability to crush the low ball as he did with that pitch from Nationals’ starting pitcher, Jeremy Hellickson.
After plunking Adam Eaton on the third pitch he threw, it looked like another one of those nights for Syndergaard where he would struggle with his control. However, after that, he threw five hitless innings against the struggling Nats offense.
Syndergaard’s fastball was zippy as usual and he had a strong command over his changeup. Syndergaard seemed like his old self on the mound tonight.
Get Louie Staub’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
“Pitching is a lot more fun when you go out there and you don’t think,” Syndergaard said after the game.
The only blemish in Syndergaard’s outing was the two-run home run that he let up to Victor Robles in the bottom of the sixth.
The smiling Nimmo hit a double to deep center to score a run in the half inning prior. Unfortunately for Nimmo, he has been hitting only .174 in his last 15 games. Hopefully for the Mets the double is the spark that he needs to get out of his slump.
After a quick seventh and eighth inning for both teams, Dom Smith stepped up to the plate in the place of Syndergaard in the top of the ninth. On a 3–0 count, with Californian Joe Ross on the mound, Smith smashed a ball deep into center field that cleared the fence. It was his first home run of the season.
Club manager Mickey Callaway told reporters after the game that Dom is making it hard for the team to send him back down to triple-A. If he continues this kind of offensive production, there is a likely spot for him on the roster.
Seth Lugo closed out the game for the Metropolitans, striking out three batters in the bottom of the ninth.
The Mets look to continue their winning ways tomorrow night in D.C. Wilmer Font, who is replacing Steven Matz in the starting rotation, is expected to get the ball tomorrow for the Mets. Patrick Corbin is the predicted starter for the Nationals.
