The Washington Nationals overcame an early deficit to pull off a 9-3 win over the New York Mets on Thursday, taking two of three in the series. After trailing since the first inning, Washington seized the moment in the fifth when the bases were loaded and Riley Adams ripped a line drive back up the middle to score two, giving the Nationals a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Key moments and players
– Adams came through in the fifth with a two-RBI single, then added another hit in the eighth to help stretch the cushion. Jacob Young contributed an RBI single in the sixth, and Brady House later drove in a run after Adams’ eighth-inning single.
– James Wood capped the afternoon with a mammoth three-run homer, sealing the homestand on a high note for Washington.
– The Nationals bullpen held strong after MacKenzie Gore’s rough start, delivering 4⅔ scoreless innings following his exit in the fifth. Over the final two games of the series, Nationals relievers worked 8⅓ innings without allowing a run.
– For Gore, the start was inconsistent but showed resilience. He gave up a leadoff home run to Francisco Lindor in the first and battled command, issuing four walks over 4⅓ innings while keeping the team in contention.
– On the Mets’ side, Starling Marte provided the early spark with a third-inning contribution, and Hayden Senger added a sacrifice fly in the following frame. Sean Manaea started for New York, but the bullpen couldn’t hold the line as Washington surged late.
Context and surrounding storylines
– Adams, 29, is in a season that has been tough for the Nationals, but his performance has started to lift with Keibert Ruiz sidelined since July 5 with a concussion. Adams has shown power and discipline when given more at-bats, including a standout August where he’s batting .326 with an .850 OPS.
– Behind the plate, Adams and Drew Millas have shared catching duties while Ruiz is out. Adams has already surpassed his career high in games played (58), and Millas is nearing his personal mark as well.
– Manager Miguel Cabrera? No—this is interim manager Eric Young Jr. No; actually, the interim manager quoted here is Miguel Cairo, who noted the healthy mix at catcher and the value of getting at-bats for Adams and Millas.
– The organizational context remains that Ruiz signed a long-term deal with Washington in 2023 after coming over in the blockbuster trade that sent Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to Los Angeles. Ruiz’s role and durability have been central considerations for the club as it builds depth behind the plate.
What this means going forward
– Adams’ multi-hit day and clutch late-inning hits highlight a potential uptick in trust and opportunity for him with Ruiz sidelined. If he can sustain this level of production, he could lock in more regular at-bats as the season winds down.
– The Nationals’ pitching staff is starting to show reliability, especially out of the bullpen, which bodes well for a club focused on developing depth and finishing the year strong.
Summary
Washington used timely hitting, a productive late surge, and a shutdown bullpen to erase an early deficit and beat the Mets 9-3, sealing the series victory. Adams delivered the big blow with a bases-loaded two-run single in the fifth, Wood added a late three-run homer, and the bullpen kept New York off the board after Gore’s rocky start. Adams and Millas are seizing opportunities as Ruiz recovers, offering a hopeful sign for Washington’s depth and future role players.
Additional notes
– A positive, hopeful thread from this game is the emergence of Adams as a more significant contributor when given a chance, which could influence how the Nationals approach late-season lineups and catcher duties.
– Look for continued opportunities for Adams and Millas to showcase their potential as they navigate a season that has been challenging but still features bright spots for the organization.