Starling Marte hit a single in the 10th inning that gave the New York Mets a crucial 2-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on Monday night.
This win pushed New York ahead of the Atlanta Braves by one game for the final National League wild card spot, as the Braves were defeated 9-0 at home by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Pitcher Sean Manaea commented, “Cool,” with a smile. “Let’s keep it going.”
The Mets played without Francisco Lindor, who is out for a few more days due to a sore back. They only had two runners reach beyond first base in the first seven innings. However, in the eighth inning, Jose Iglesias, who is filling in for Lindor at shortstop and leading off, hit an RBI infield single off the glove of reliever Derek Law with two outs.
Tyrone Taylor, who had doubled earlier, scored from third base as Iglesias improved to 11 for 23 (.478) with two outs and runners in scoring position this season. Iglesias has a 10-game hitting streak and is batting .323 in 73 games after not playing in the majors last season.
“I think we’ve got something good going,” Iglesias said. “Just glad to be part of it.”
In the 10th inning, automatic runner Harrison Bader moved from second base to third on a flyout to deep right field by Francisco Alvarez. Marte then hit a one-out single off Jacob Barnes (8-3) down the left-field line, allowing Bader to score easily as James Wood barely moved.
Marte, who missed Sunday’s game in Philadelphia after being hit on the left forearm by a pitch, has been playing more frequently after being out for almost two months with a bone bruise on his right knee. He spiked his helmet as he rounded first base and was soon surrounded by teammates, including Jesse Winker, who tore off Marte’s uniform while he was being doused with water.
