Mets takeaways from Sunday’s Game 2 win over Nationals, including eight-run fifth inning
The Mets put up an eight-spot in the fifth inning in Game 2 of Sunday’s doubleheader against the Washington Nationals and won, 8-2.
Here are the takeaways…
– Making his first start since May 3, Max Scherzer took the ball in Game 2 of Sunday’s doubleheader looking for a split of the twin bill against his former team. Unlike his last outing where he gave up six earned runs in 3.1 innings against another former team in the Detroit Tigers, this start went much better.
The 38-year-old, who has had a strange beginning to his season dealing with injuries, ineffectiveness and even a controversial suspension, finally looked like his Cy Young award-winning self again. His only blemish came in the second inning when CJ Abrams doubled home Dominic Smith who worked a walk.
Aside from that, Scherzer looked good in his five innings of work, allowing one run on two hits, two walks and striking out six on 83 pitches, enough to get the win. He also hit a batter and uncorked a wild pitch, but retired 10 of the last 11 hitters he faced and saw his ERA go down to 4.88
– Offensively, the Mets let out a week’s worth of frustration in the top of the fifth, scoring eight runs in the inning – the most they’ve scored in a single inning this season. Starling Marte got the party started with a single off Jake Irvin who had been cruising through four innings and immediately scored on Mark Canha’s double to tie the game.
With runners on first and second and one out, Brandon Nimmo gave New York the lead with an RBI single that snuck through the infield and put runners at the corners. After Jeff McNeil struck out, Francisco Lindor, swinging 3-0, nubbed one off the end of the bat for an infield single that drove in another run.
With the bases loaded and reliever Mason Thompson now in the game, Brett Baty worked a four-pitch walk that extended the Mets’ lead to 4-1. Marte, batting for the second time in the inning, blooped a two-run single before stealing second base which caused an errant throw that allowed another run to score.
Moving right along, Canha singled for his second hit of the inning which brought home Marte for New York’s eighth run of the frame. Twelve men came up to bat in the inning and six of the eight runs scored came with two outs.
– Activated from the injured list prior to the game, Brooks Raley came on in the sixth inning and made his first relief appearance since April 27 against these same Nationals.
Things got off to an inauspicious start for the left-hander after he walked the first two batters to face him with his team up by seven runs. Raley would right the ship, though, striking out Stone Garrett and getting Smith to ground out. After walking the third batter of the inning to load the bases, Raley escaped danger with a flyout to end the inning.
– The Mets were able to stay away from their top relievers as Jeff Brigham and Zach Muckenhirn pitched the final three innings.
Recalled for Game 2 of the doubleheader as New York’s 27th man and making just his second career appearance in the majors, Muckenhirn allowed a run on four hits, a walk and a HBP, but got out of a bases loaded jam in the eighth inning before getting the final three outs in the ninth.
Highlights
What’s next
The Mets finish their four-game series with the Nationals on Monday with a 4:05 p.m. start time.
LHP David Peterson looks to take the series as he goes up against LHP Patrick Corbin.
Source: Yahoo Sports
