Despite a Stellar Steven Matz, the New York Mets Fall to Nats in Walk-Off Fashion 2
Jul 3, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz (32) throws a pitch to a Washington Nationals batter in the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Patrick McDermott-USA TODAY Sports

Not only did the Mets lose a heartbreaker to their division rivals Monday night, they may have lost a key piece of the lineup as well.

Mets starter Steven Matz had an incredible evening, allowing just four hits over seven scoreless innings, striking out four. He saw his ERA drop by more than half a run, from 2.67 to a minuscule 2.12.

Nationals starter Steven Strasburg was even more impressive, however, allowing just two hits over seven scoreless. The All-Star struck out six and lowered his ERA to from 3.51 to 3.28.

Washington’s Michael A. Taylor broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the eighth inning, smashing a 378-foot home run to right field off reliever Jerry Blevins, who only lasted a third of an inning.

Trailing 2-0 and with all the momentum in the opposite dugout, things didn’t look good for the Mets. But manager Terry Collins still had Curtis Granderson on the bench, and he called on the 36-year-old to pinch-hit for catcher Travis d’Arnaud.

With a runner on base, two outs and facing a 0-2 count, Granderson proved why he is, without a doubt, the most clutch hitter the Mets have.

https://twitter.com/EliteSportsNY/status/882044782935252992

Unfortunately for the Mets, they couldn’t keep the Nationals at bay. Ryan Raburn singled off reliever Paul Sewald in the bottom of the ninth, scoring Matt Wieters and giving the home team a 3-2 victory.

Yoenis Cespedes, who appeared to get a late jump on Raburn’s walk-off single, injured his hamstring and won’t be in Tuesday’s lineup.

Neither team will get much time to rest, as Tuesday’s game is scheduled to begin at 11:05 a.m. ET. Seth Lugo (3-1, 3.66 ERA) will take the ball for the Mets, while Joe Ross (4-3, 5.12 ERA) gets the start for the Nationals.