Jose Quintana pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing just one hit, while Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Lindor each hit three-run homers to help the New York Mets secure a 7-5 victory over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night.
Harrison Bader contributed three hits and scored twice from the lower part of the Mets’ lineup, as they improved to a .500 record at 45-45. Lindor, batting leadoff, also had three hits and scored two runs.
“I knew I was due for a good performance,” Lindor remarked.
The Nationals mounted a late comeback attempt with pinch-hitter Ildemaro Vargas hitting a two-run homer off Adam Ottavino in the eighth inning, his first home run since August last year. Keibert Ruiz added a two-run shot in the ninth off Reed Garrett.
Despite Jacob Young scoring on a wild pitch and narrowing the lead, Edwin Díaz struck out CJ Abrams to secure his ninth save of the season.
“We started hitting the ball better as the game progressed,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez commented. “After a slow offensive start, we managed to put up five runs.”
Earlier in the day, the Mets bolstered their bullpen by acquiring veteran reliever Phil Maton from the Tampa Bay Rays for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
“I still have faith in our bullpen,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza affirmed. “They’ve hit a rough patch, but we’ve been winning games. I believe they will bounce back, as they have done in the past. It’s just a matter of time.”
