Mets split series with Nationals after David Peterson makes first start since April
WASHINGTON — What the New York Mets probably needed the most was a rainout to let all of their overworked arms rest. But what they got, they’ll take: A 2-1 win over the Washington Nationals on Thursday afternoon at Nationals Park. The Mets (22-28) split the series with the Nats (25-26) with a game that featured only minimal errors and misplays, and no pitching blowups.
Protecting a one-run lead against a team that leads the league in runs scored required solid baseball, which is what they finally showed. It was nothing flashy, but after two roller coaster-like games, they needed one like this. David Peterson made his first start in nearly a month, holding the Nationals to one earned run over five innings.
The Mets have tried to mitigate the struggles of the lefty by using him behind an opener, usually Huascar Brazobán, and while Brazobán did factor into the game, it was after Peterson had already thrown 82 pitches. Peterson (3-4) loaded the bases in the first inning with two outs, walking three straight hitters. He struck out Daylen Lile to get out of trouble.
From there, he eliminated the walks, and worked effectively to limit baserunners, allowing only four hits and striking out three. Washington scored its only run in the fifth inning. Then, with a runner on third and two outs, Mark Vientos made a diving stop on a hard grounder from CJ Abrams to end the inning.
Bo Bichette’s two-run single provided the Mets with early offense in the third inning. After a tough April, the player the Mets signed to drive in runs has done exactly that. He drove in nine runs in four games in Washington, with a double and three home runs, and has now hit safely in the last five games.