The Washington Nationals took it to the NY Mets tonight behind a 4 1/3 inning one-run performance by Mat Latos who left the game with a hamstring issue. The Nationals moved to a season best 28 games above .500 with an 86-58 record. The Magic Number moved to single digits at 9.
Pick your offensive star for tonight. Anthony Rendon only had one hit, but it was a three-run home run to make the score 6-1. Daniel Murphy had three hits, and Trea Turner had two hits and of course led off the game with a single and scored the first run. Wilson Ramos and Bryce Harper each reached base three times in the game. Mat Latos hit a home run, and all the Nationals’ starters reached base tonight via a walk, HBP or hit for a total of 17 on-base. The Nationals were 4-10 in RISP situations.
The Nationals are now 11-6 on the season against the Mets, and the lead in the NL East is now back to double digits at 10.0 over the second place Mets.
The official scorer credited the win to Reynaldo Lopez who finished the game with three scoreless innings. Per MLB rules, Lopez was eligible to be credited with the save since he finished the game with the lead (larger than 3 runs) in a minimum of three innings pitched, but you cannot be credited with the win and the save. Trevor Gott came in to relieve Mat Latos with two runners on-base with one out, and Gott was able to get Asdrubal Cabrera and Yoenis Cespedes for the final 2 outs of the 5th inning. The official scorer could have given Gott the win, but chose not to. Gott deserves some credit as that was the Mets best chance to get back into the game and he snuffed out any thoughts of that.
With the Nationals’ 86th win tonight, if the team just plays .500 ball the remainder of the way, the Nationals win the NL East and finish with 95 wins. If the Mets finish the season 18-0, they would only finish with 94 wins.
To view the game recap video, the link can be clicked to view here.
