The New York Mets drop another one, this time to the Washington Nationals after Jeurys Familia walks in the winning run.
- New York Mets 3 (8-9)
- Washington Nationals 4 (11-5)
- NL, Final, Box Score
- Citi Field, Queens, New York
If you, one of those tried and tested New York Mets fans thought things couldn’t get worse for your Amazins’, you’ve now been taught a little lesson.
It can always get worse.
Despite Michael Conforto leading off the game with a solo shot, his third of the season and the team threatening in the bottom of the 9th-inning, the Mets fell to the NL East-leading Nats by the final of 4-3 in 11 innings.
The worst part about the night was that final inning that saw closer Jeurys Familia come into the game and walk the winning run (Bryce Harper) home. He relieved Josh Smoker who found himself in a bit of trouble, but walked two straight, one to load the bases and another to put D.C. on top for good. In just his second outing of the season since returning from a 15-game suspension, the Mets closer couldn’t find his location for the better part of the appearance.
Speaking of that Harper guy, he was a stud, once again, against New York. With Matt Harvey on the rubber, he took one for a ride in the first inning that put the Nats up 2-0 right off the bat. Harper finished 2-for-4 with two runs, two RBI and that two-run shot in the first.
“How about a magic trick? I'm gonna make this ball disappear." pic.twitter.com/XaEvvdM9vv
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 21, 2017
Although Harvey started out rough, seemed to settle down shortly thereafter. His final line consisted of seven innings, four hits, three runs and just two strikeouts. On the other side, Nats starter Tanner Roark also relented just three runs but scattered seven hits in 6.2 innings.
Other than Conforto’s solo shot in the bottom of the first, Curtis Granderson supplied the other two runs, one of which came on a solo shot, his first home run of the season.
Reservation for one in the Coca-Cola Corner. https://t.co/DrAgLPqptU #Mets pic.twitter.com/hStQG062AT
— New York Mets (@Mets) April 22, 2017
Terry Collins would probably take a 3-3 battle into the late innings against the Nationals at any point considering the opponent’s disastrous bullpen, but on this particular night, D.C.’s pen held firm.
Like previously mentioned, New York threatened in the bottom of the ninth. Rene Rivera battled to a leadoff walk and T.J. Rivera sac-bunted pinch-runner Robert Gsellman over to second, but neither Mikey C. nor Juan Lagares could get the job done. Jay Bruce also got a hold of one in the bottom of the 10th-inning, but it fell harmlessly into Harper’s glove near the track in right field after the Citi Field stadium winds killed it.
New York has now lost six of its last seven games while Washington has won five straight.
Next up will be these very same NL East-leading Nats at 4:05 p.m. ET on Saturday at Citi Field.
.@MattHarvey33 goes 7⃣ strong! @jerryblevins takes over on the mound in the top of the 8th. ? #LGM pic.twitter.com/q03zwsNJZH
— New York Mets (@Mets) April 22, 2017
.@mconforto8 stays ?!
2-1 Washington | End-1 pic.twitter.com/RK74WLFI9C
— New York Mets (@Mets) April 21, 2017
Jose Lobaton's first bomb of the year (featuring Anthony Rendon as guest helmet remover). pic.twitter.com/ZrFoxBn2AK
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 22, 2017
"You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself surrender a Bryce Harper HR." pic.twitter.com/o6J1795Ubo
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 22, 2017