Scott, Bullpen Cough Up Five Run Lead in Loss to Nats
After defeating the Nationals in two straight games Monday and Tuesday, the Mets were hoping to claim the series win on Wednesday night as the clubs continued their four-game series in Washington. However, the Mets blew a five-run lead and went on to lose Wednesday night’s game to the Nationals 7-5.
Jacob Barnes (4-2, 3.82 ERA) got the win for the Nationals, while Jake Diekman (2-3, 4.73 ERA) was credited with the loss. Kyle Finnegan earned his 23rd save of the year for the Nationals.
Christian Scott (0-2, 4.32) got the start for the Mets after being recalled from Triple-A Syracuse prior to the game on Wednesday. He was opposed by Mitchell Parker (5-4, 3.61 ERA) for the Nationals.
Jul 1, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Jake Diekman (30) throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports
Scott threw 5 2/3 innings, giving up four earned runs on six hits and two walks, striking out two and giving up one home run. Scott pitched well through five and just couldn’t finish the sixth, running into the most trouble he faced on the night in the sixth as the Nationals struck for three to tie it up.
The Mets offense had just five hits against the Nationals’ pitching staff, all coming on extra-base hits, including home runs in three straight innings.
Tyrone Taylor launched his fifth home run of the season in the third to give the Mets the early lead on a solo home run that made it a 1-0 Mets lead. Mark Vientos then hit a two-run home run in the fourth to make it 3-0 Mets. Francisco Lindor rounded out the home run parade with a two-run home run in the fifth to make it 5-0 Mets lead.
The Nationals offense got one run back in the fifth inning, but the Mets were still hanging on to a 5-1 lead. The game was in the Mets driver’s seat. Unfortunately, Scott faltered and the Mets bullpen blundered again.
Luis García Jr. brought the Nats back to life in the sixth. He hit his first homer of the night, a three-run shot to cut the Mets lead to 5-4. Then, in the seventh, the Nationals went on to take the lead in the seventh on an RBI double by Lane Thomas and an RBI single by the rookie James Wood.
Scott was in line for the win after the sixth, but Jake Diekman allowed two runs in the seventh to put the Nats in front. It negated a relatively solid outing for Scott excluding the sixth when he ran into his most trouble.
The Nationals then extended their lead in the bottom of the eighth to 7-5 on García’s second homer of the game. From there, Hunter Harvey and Kyle Finnegan shut out the Mets on both their third consecutive outings in this series.
Player of the Game
Mark Vientos continued his breakout 2024 with a homer off Parker in the fourth. It went to deep center field and gave extended the Mets’ lead to 3-0 at the time.
On Deck
It will be a quick turnaround for the Mets and Nationals as they conclude their series on Thursday in an early morning matchup at 11:05 am EDT at Nationals’ Park. Jose Quintana (3-5, 4.57 ERA) takes the mound for the Mets and will be opposed by righty Jake Irvin (6-6, 3.03 ERA). The game will televised on SNY and broadcast on WCBS 880.
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