WASHINGTON – Jose Iglesias had three hits, including a go-ahead run in the fifth inning, and Mark Vientos homered as the New York Mets defeated the Washington Nationals 8-7 on Monday night.
New York’s beleaguered bullpen nearly provided another late lead. Washington scored two runs in Adam Ottavino’s ninth, but Jake Diekman threw a third strike against Drew Millas with runners on the corners for his second save.
The struggling Mets have lost six games since May 1, when they led after eight innings.
Starling Marte also had three hits and scored twice for New York in this season’s first meeting between the NL East foes. No. 9 hitter Luis Torrens hit a two-run double in his second start with the Mets.
Iglesias, replacing Jeff McNeil at second base against a left-handed starter, had three singles in his second start for New York since being called up from the minors on Friday.
Harrison Bader had two sacrifice flies for the Mets on his 30th birthday. A single by Iglesias put them ahead 5-4 on a four-run fifth, and Torrens added a two-run double to right center.
Vientos connected on the first pitch of the fourth against Nationals starter MacKenzie Gore (4-5) for her fifth home run of the season. The 420-foot shot to left-center gave the Mets a 2-1 lead.
Francisco Lindor hit an RBI single, reached base three times and stole a bag. Tylor Megill (1-2) allowed five runs – four earned – and seven hits in five innings. He struck out four and walked three.
Joey Gallo broke out of a slump with a two-run homer off Megill that gave Washington a 4-3 lead in the fourth. The first baseman entered the game batting .151.
Gore allowed the leadoff batter to reach base in each of the first five innings. He walked four and gave up seven hits and six runs in 4 1/3 innings. He also threw two wild pitches and walked one batter.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mets: C Francisco Alvarez (left thumb surgery) had a day off from his minor league rehab assignment and will “probably” throw nine innings Tuesday at Triple-A Syracuse, manager Carlos Mendoza said. Alvarez could come off the injured list when the team returns home next week.
Nationals: RHP Josiah Gray (right elbow/forearm flexor strain) is scheduled to throw 50 pitches in a live bullpen on Tuesday. If all goes well, he will be sent on a rehabilitation mission after that. … Washington SS CJ Abrams (shoulder) sat out his third straight game and CF Jacob Young (hand) missed his second straight game. Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Abrams is progressing, but Young was still sore during pregame at-bats.
NEXT
Mets LHP David Peterson (0-0, 3.60 ERA) makes his second big league start of the season Tuesday night against former New York RHP Trevor Williams (5-0, 2.22), who hasn’t lost since September 10, 2023.
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