The New York Mets took the field Sunday night trying to avoid a sweep, with the tough task of needing to beat Nationals’ ace Max Scherzer.
It was a night dominated by the long ball — all nine runs scored via the home run. Former fan favorite and current New York Mets-killer, Daniel Murphy, kicked off the scoring with a first inning grand slam off Zack Wheeler, quickly putting the Mets in an early 4-0 hole.With a national audience gazing intently on ESPN, the team from Queens attempted to make a game of it, as Michael Conforto continued his great season start with an opposite field home run leading off the bottom half of the first to put the Mets on the board.
Fast forward to the bottom of the third, when Murphy’s replacement in Neil Walker showed his value by blasting a two-run shot of his own to right center, pulling the Mets within one.
Neither team was able to muster a run through the next four innings, as the game flew through seven innings in just two hours’ time.
Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman provided the knockout blow in the top of the seventh, as he deposited a 1-2 pitch from Josh Smoker deep into the left field stands to seal the deal.
The loss marked the Mets’ eighth in the last nine contents, dropping their record on the young year to 8-11.
The limping and wounded lineup will take a much needed day-off on Monday as the team attempts to recoup from a very rough week.
On Tuesday, the Mets will welcome to town the 6-12 Atlanta Braves, a team they outscored 13-5 while taking two of three in the season’s opening series.