Jacob deGrom tossed six shutout innings, Robinson Cano delivered two RBIs, including a solo homer, and the back of the Mets’ bullpen slammed the door shut to lead the Mets to a 2-0 win over the Nationals on Opening Day in Washington.
It was billed as a pitching duel between the top two hurlers in the National League and did not disappoint. Max Scherzer struck out the side in the first inning but in between the whiffs was the solo homer by Cano, a ball hit to left center that seemed to carry very well. But with these two pitchers on the mound, there wasn’t much chance to see if it was carry or just strong contact.
Despite the gaudy final numbers, deGrom did not have his great stuff today. He allowed two baserunners in the first and third innings and had a runner on third with one out in the sixth. But a baserunning gaffe by Victor Robles helped end the third inning and some outstanding pitching by deGrom, including a nasty two-strike pitch to punch out Juan Soto in the sixth, ended the final big rally by Washington.
deGrom finished with 6 IP, 5 H, 0 BB and 10 Ks and earned the win.
Nationals manager Dave Martinez went to the whip with Scherzer. After Scherzer gave him seven strong innings, Martinez sent him up to the plate with two outs and no one on, eschewing the chance to let Matt Adams bat with a chance to tie the game. Scherzer struck out to end the inning.
In the eighth, Scherzer gave up a walk to pinch-hitter Dominic Smith and Smith came around to score by an opposite field single by Cano off a lefty reliever. Scherzer’s final line was 7.2 IP, 2 ER, 3 BB and 12 Ks and a tough-luck loss.
Seth Lugo relieved deGrom in the seventh and struck out the side. Jeurys Familia pitched a hitless eighth and Diaz had a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his first save as a Met.
Crisply played game by the Mets, excellent pitching, no errors, Mickey Callaway made the right moves,
The DP In the bottom of the 3rd was beautiful.(a must see) .I’d give them an excellent for defense as well..
Callaway definitely outmanaged Martinez in my opinion. Leaving Scherzer in to bat implies, at the very least, a distrust of the Nats’ bullpen; Martinez really didn’t have another option other than Scherzer, 90+ pitches into his afternoon?. And while Scherzer is probably the best workhorse pitching today, 109 pitches on Opening Day is questionable regardless of the score.
In the Mets 8th, Callaway could take Alonso out after his base knock and have his best defensive option for first base already in the game.
In all it was a game of 1960’s baseball at it’s finest.
The Met winning formula: 6 strong innings by the starter, enough offense to have the lead and turn it over to the back of the bullpen. It isn’t rocket science.
Today: Excellent 6 innings by deGrom, enough offense provided by Cano, and then they closed it out with Lugo, Familia and Diaz.
It is also refreshing that Alonso, Smith, McNeill, Nido, Guillorme and Peterson were on their first opening day roster. Congratulations!
Great win for the Mets! Former Mariners (Cano and Diaz) were superb! Excellent defense, killer/clutch pitching by deGrom (the movement on the changeup was incredible!), terrific relief pitching, and good managerial moves, too!
BVW! LGM!
Super nice win. Post game Jake said he was very nervous…imagine. Also, that was his 30th straight quality start, a new MLB record. That guy has pure ice in his veins, and I dont mean water ice, I mean dry ice.
This was Jake’s 30th consecutive start allowing 3 runs or fewer (remember, he had that 1 inning start), breaking Arrieta’s record of 29. However his streak of consecutive quality starts is now 25, one behind Bob Gibson’s record of 26.
thanks for clarification
Great start to the season. Loved seeing Alonso get his first hit and Cano step right in to a leadership role. Aside from his hitting, I liked how he handled that double play when Robles broke from third late. McNeill also made a really nice play at third.
i have never enjoyed watching a pitcher pitch out of a jam as much as when Jacob Degrom does it.
First and third, nobody out, and he makes it look easy.
Great opener, made even better by the presence of newcomers like cano and diaz, alonso and ramos,
And best of all knowing Degrom is ours to enjoy for a while.
Great call on the back end of the pen slamming the door. Last year Jake would have likely had a no decision. Tough 7-8-9 with established relievers. And the defensive moves didn’t disappoint. Hope we are as excited a month from now as we are with just the first win!
I agree. Love the win but I can’t forget the 11-1 start, followed by 16-26 the next 6 weeks, and a disastrous 5-21 June.