Yoenis Cespdedes Matt Harvey
Robby Sabo, ESNY Graphic, Getty Images

The New York Mets completed the sweep of the Washington Nationals thanks to a Yoenis Cespedes RBI single in the top of the 12th inning. 

  • New York Mets 6 (7-1)
  • Washington Nationals 5 (4-5)
  • Final, Box Score
  • Nationals Park, Washington D.C.

If there was such a thing as making a statement in April, the New York Mets did just that this weekend against the Washington Nationals. In a game that went to the 12th inning, Yoenis Cespedes delivered his only hit of the night (1-for-6) with an RBI single to center to help the Mets finish off the sweep of the Nats, 6-5. New York has now won five in a row while the Nats have lost five straight.

The 12th inning began when Juan Lagares had a pinch-hit single against Brandon Kintzler. After an Amed Rosario sacrifice bunt and a Michael Conforto intentional walk, Cespedes picked up the clutch base hit that New York needed.

For Matt Harvey, tonight’s game was a much different result compared to his 2018 debut. It got off to a rocky start when Bryce Harper hit a two-run home run to right field in the bottom of the first. His sixth home run of the season gave the Nats a 2-0 lead.

Harper was a problem for the Mets all night. He went 3-for-4 at the plate and had three walks in seven plate appearances. Right now, it is tough for anyone to pitch to him when he’s this locked in at the plate.

In the early stages of the season, the Mets have responded to playing from behind and tonight was no different. In the top of the third, Jay Bruce, Todd Frazier, and Asdrubal Cabrera all drew two-out walks against Tanner Roark. That set the stage for Adrian Gonzalez. The Mets first baseman hit a grand slam to right for his first home run with New York:

Despite getting the lead, Harvey’s fastball was still being hit hard by the Nationals lineup. Pedro Severino cut New York’s lead to 4-3 with an RBI double to left center that drove in Trea Turner with two outs. But, the Mets would answer once again in the following inning.

It was Cabrera’s turn to contribute in the fifth when he took Roark deep to right for a solo shot, his first of the season. With that long ball, the Mets’ second baseman extended his hit streak to seven games. As for Roark, he did strike out nine over five innings, but the Mets did a good job of turning those mistakes (four walks) into instant offense.

Meanwhile, Harvey’s struggles continued in the fifth when Trea Turner drove in Harper with a two-out single to left. The right-hander got out of the inning with the lead thanks to a Turner baserunning blunder, but it was not a good night for him. Harvey went five innings, gave up four runs on nine hits, struck out two, and walked one on 85 pitches (57 strikes).

After Harvey was done, the ball went to Robert Gsellman, but he could not hold the lead. With two on and two outs in the seventh, Michael Taylor picked up a game-tying single to left. While Taylor had the clutch hit in that situation, the Nats finished 4-for-17 wiith men in scoring position for the night.

Seth Lugo ended up getting the win due to pitching three scoreless innings in relief. While he committed an error on a pickoff throw in the ninth, the right-hander struck out three batters and he threw 23 of his 39 pitches for strikes.

Jacob Rhame was able to close the game out in the bottom of the 12th and he picked up his first big league save. He gave up a two-out double to Wilmer Difo, but he got Adam Eaton to ground out to third for the final out.

Next Game: The New York Mets will begin a three-game series at Marlins Park tomorrow night against the Miami Marlins (3-6). Noah Syndergaard (1-0, 5.40 ERA) will take the ball for the Mets against Jose Urena (0-1, 4.91) for the Marlins, You can watch the game on SNY at 7:10 p.m. ET.

I graduated from St. John's University with a degree in sports management. I previously wrote about the Johnnies at Rumble In the Garden.