Post-game
Late Comeback Falls Just Short as Mets Edged 7–6 in Series Opener at D.C.
New York's late-game surge fell just short in a high-scoring 7–6 opener at Nationals Park. Bo Bichette's two-run blast and multi-hit performances from Juan Soto and Carson Benge kept the offense moving, but early mound missteps proved costly. Full game breakdown and recap below
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A furious late-inning effort by the New York Mets came up one run short on Friday evening at Nationals Park. Despite generating nine hits—highlighted by a two-run homer from Bo Bichette along with multi-hit performances from Juan Soto and Carson Benge—New York couldn't fully recover from an early deficit, falling 7–6 to the Washington Nationals.
Control Issues & Big Inning Put Mets in Early Hole
Jefry Yan just couldn't find the strike zone to save his life tonight. He lasted a miserable 1.2 innings, walking two and giving up two quick runs before getting pulled early. Then Jonathan Pintaro comes out of the bullpen in the third and somehow makes things even worse—launching four wild pitches in one single inning to practically hand Washington a giant rally on a silver platter. Unbelievable.
Dylan Crews paced the Nationals' lineup, crushing a solo home run and crossing the plate three times, while CJ Abrams added a critical two-run single to extend the host team's early cushion.
New York Fights Back in the Late Frames
Facing a 7–3 hole mid-game, the Mets lineup mounted a steady comeback:
Bo Bichette: Headline performance at the dish, going 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk.
Carson Benge: Kept his strong rookie campaign rolling by picking up two hits, drawing two walks, and driving in a run.
Mark Vientos & Francisco Alvarez: Provided key situational offense off the bench, driving in runs to trim Washington's lead to 7–6.
Juan Soto: Reached base three times with a pair of hits and a walk, scoring twice in his return to Nationals Park.
Out of the bullpen, Justin Hagenman and Nathan Lavender actually stepped up and did their jobs, holding Washington quiet down the stretch to give our guys a real shot to turn it around. Hagenman tossed four solid innings giving up just a single run, and Lavender locked down a scoreless frame of his own. But then Josiah Gray came in for the Nats in the ninth and completely slammed the door on us, shutting down the rally and sealing a tough 7–6 loss.
It's a frustrating one to drop, but the bats showed some real fight late. Hopefully, we bounce back big tomorrow and take Game 2 in D.C.!