It looked like the Mets were going to drop a game they had no business losing. But then the Nationals’ pen struck again. Carlos Gomez delivered a three-run homer in the eighth inning to lift the Mets to a 6-4 win over the Nats Thursday afternoon in Citi Field and a sweep of the four-game series, the first over the Nats/Expos franchise since the early 1990s.

The Mets went to the eighth inning with a 3-1 lead. Robert Gsellman retired two of the first three batters in the eighth but then gave up three consecutive hits to give Washington a 4-3 lead. The last hit came on a letter-high pitch, a surprising offering from a sinker ball pitcher working his second straight day.

But then the Nats’ pen came to the rescue. Wander Suero was greeted by a pinch-hit double by Dominic Smith. Suero looked like he was getting out of the jam, as he struck out the next two batters. After an intentional walk to Wilson Ramos, Gomez got his pitch and didn’t miss it. It was hard to tell who was happier – Gomez or Gary Cohen, who seemed beside himself with the HR call.

We knew the Nats’ pen was not a team strength. But they were even worse than we had any right to expect coming into the series. In 9.2 IP Washington relievers allowed 15 runs, 14 of which were earned. That’s just unbelievably ugly.

For most of the day it was a pitching duel between Steven Matz and Stephen Strasburg. Matz tiptoed through trouble all game while Strasburg for the most part made easy work of a Mets lineup depleted by four starters on the IL. The Mets scored two runs on sac flies and another on an infield single, building a 3-1 lead before the bullpens got involved. The Mets’ bullpen was bad; the Nats’ was horrendous. And that’s how the Mets came up with the sweep.

6 comments on “Gut Reaction: Mets 6, Nationals 4 (5/23/19)

  • Michael

    Strange game. Gsellman getting the win is a joke. Smith deserves more playing time at Alonso’s expense. It wasnt too long ago Pete was hitting a healthy .300, now he stands at .254.

  • TJ

    After reversing philosophy and saying Diaz is able to pitch a 4 out save, Callaway could not have had a better opportunity to insert him for the 4 out save, but failed to do so. Gomez saved his backside.

    That said, I would take a 3 games sweep loss to Marlins for a 4 game sweep on the Nats 10 times over. Today I am grateful for not being a Nat fan, an underachieving franchise and 2019 division favorite, sitting at 19-31 and 10 back. They may not be 100% gone, but they are most certainly a train wreck that makes our Mets’ issues look minimal.

    • BVac

      15 runs in 9.2 for a bullpen wow that is just absurd. Anybody think they’ll be first in line for Kimbrel post draft or will they be too far out by then?

  • Metsense

    Gut Reaction: The Mets buried the Nats should set their sights on the Phillies and Braves. I don’t think that they have the fire power to overtake them at this point. The short-term goal is to get to 500 by Sunday night.
    I question the decision by Callaway not to remove Gsellman for Diaz. His a explanation doesn’t hold water. If with Diaz wasn’t an option, instead put in Gagnon.
    Another clutch home run this time by CarGo.
    Diaz Mios, thank God we have Edwin
    All in all, it was an exciting, joyful and successful series.

    • José

      “Diaz Mios, thank God we have Edwin”

      For those naysayers who say that the cost of 2 top prospects for Canó and his corpulent contract was too high…

      Also, for anyone sufficiently knowledgeable, why is he so good?

      • Name

        What Diaz is doing is not special or extraordinary at all.

        There are 30 relievers with lower ERAs than him.
        There are 10 relievers with higher K-rates than him.
        There are 40 relievers with lower BB-rates than him.
        There are 45 relievers with lower FIPs than him.

        In any given year, a random can become a great reliever.

        Take Francisco Liriano – struggled to the tune of a 4.58 ERA as a starter last year – this year 0.77 ERA over 23 IP as a reliever.
        Scott barlow (who?) – 26 year old journeyman reliever – 14.25 K/9 – 8th highest among relievers.

        On the flip side you have a Familia or Leclerac who was so dominant last year to throw away guys this year.

        Why anyone thinks that paying big dollars or prospects to acquire a reliever is a good idea needs to rethink

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