The New York Mets remain undefeated after contributions from up and down the lineup lead to a convincing victory in D.C.
- New York Mets 11 (2-0)
- Washington Nationals 8 (0-2)
- W: Justin Wilson (1-0)
- L: Trevor Rosenthal (0-1)
- NL, Final, Box Score
- Nationals Park, Washington D.C.
The bats were alive early and often for the New York Mets. Catcher Wilson Ramos and outfielder Jeff McNeil smashed extra-base hits to drive in three runs in the first inning. Ramos’ double off the right-field wall drove in two runs. Following that blast, McNeil launched a triple to deep center field and drive in Ramos.
Wilson Ramos takes Strasburg to the wall for the 2-run double. A McNeil triple makes it 3-0 Mets after one inning. My oh my here comes the Mets "balanced" lineup. #LGM pic.twitter.com/YkzmNxPr67
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) March 30, 2019
With Noah Syndergaard on the mound, the Mets looked poised to cruise to an easy victory. But that wasn’t the case. Thor didn’t have his best stuff despite striking out the first two batters he faced.
After doubling, Anthony Rendon was driven in by a Juan Soto single. The Nats would only steal back one run, but they had new life. Furthermore, they could tell that Syndergaard didn’t have his top-notch stuff.
The righty hurler was able to battle through six innings, but he allowed four runs and left the bullpen with a tie ballgame.
The biggest takeaway from the first two games of the year is that the Mets have a legitimate big-league lineup. New York touched up Stephen Strasburg for four runs. However, their eighth-inning explosion is proof positive that the lineup has a different feel this year.
Rather than the all-or-nothing lineup of 2018, the 2019 version is built upon a more situational approach. In the eighth, Ramos reached on an infield single and McNeil followed that up with a line drive single. That combination sounds familiar.
However, the major blow would come when J.D. Davis shot a single into right field which would drive in two runs. The Mets would score another run on a balk by Kyle Barraclough.
The first base knock of the J.D. Davis-Mets era is a biggie, driving in two off a hanging slider. Man, Trevor Rosenthal was terrible in this one. #LGM pic.twitter.com/b4OZFGHvUM
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) March 30, 2019
Rookie first baseman Pete Alonso would later launch his second RBI double of the night. The prospect wasn’t always a lock to make the Opening Day roster, in part because of service-time silliness. However, the Mets made the baseball decision to put Alonso in the everyday lineup. Moreover, they are trusting him to bat second. So far, the organization’s faith in Alonso is paying off.
Pete Alonso is a flat-out stud at the plate. No doubt he'll naturally struggle at times, but don't overthink it. It's that simple. #LGM pic.twitter.com/3VWgpC5uu8
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) March 30, 2019
The Nationals bullpen is a huge question mark this year. This is an issue the Mets have had to deal with in the past, but this year seems different. New York is far deeper in the bullpen and they were able to shut the door in D.C.
Justin Wilson pitched an uneventful 1-2-3 seventh inning. Jeurys Familia was chased in the eighth inning after loading the bases, but Seth Lugo came in and forced Matt Adams into a very long out. Lugo would end up surrendering four runs in the ninth, but Edwin Diaz trotted in and threw one pitch to secure the save.
The teams will close their three-game set on Sunday at 1:35 p.m. ET. Zack Wheeler is set to face the newly-signed National Patrick Corbin.
