Nats go for series win against Mets

The Washington Nationals will try to win the series when they host the New York Mets in the finale of a four-game set on Monday.

The Nationals walked off the National League East-leading Mets for the second time in three games on Sunday with CJ Abrams scoring after Pete Alonso’s throwing error on a Luis Garcia Jr. grounder. New York won 2-0 on Saturday.

The Nationals trailed 7-1 before rallying over the final three innings Sunday.

“We’ve always been able to scratch and claw like that,” said backup catcher Riley Adams, whose three-run homer pulled the Nationals within 7-6 in the seventh. “We have great guys in the clubhouse, and everyone’s pulling for each other in these moments. It’s cool to see it pay off.”

Dylan Crews also homered for Washington.

Washington has won six of nine and will send right-hander Trevor Williams (1-2, 5.11 ERA) to the mound against fellow righty Griffin Canning (3-1, 3.12).

In each of his last two starts, Williams has allowed one run over five innings, totaling 10 strikeouts and four walks. Last time out, he took a no-decision in a win against the Orioles on Wednesday.

Williams is 3-2 with a 3.83 ERA in eight starts against the Mets, for whom he pitched in 2021 and ’22.

Canning, who joined the Mets as a free agent in the offseason, has won his last three starts. Against the Phillies on Tuesday, he allowed a run on seven hits over five innings, walking one and striking out five.

“It’s been fun,” Canning said of joining the Mets’ rotation. “We all kind of feed off each other. We’re all having fun in the dugout and in between starts, talking with each other, learning from each other. It’s awesome being with these guys.”

Sunday was fun until it wasn’t. The Mets led 7-1 after six innings and still had a chance to close it out with a 7-6 lead in the ninth. Ryne Stanek, pitching after Edwin Diaz worked on Saturday, gave up a leadoff double and then with one out, was slow covering first on Garcia’s grounder and Alonso’s throw was wild.

Adding insult to injury, the Mets had runners on second and third with no outs in the top of the ninth and failed to score.

Mets reliever A.J. Minter was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left lat strain after departing during the eighth inning on Saturday. Right-handed reliever Jose Urena was recalled to fill the spot in the bullpen.

Sunday seemed settled early on as New York scored five in the first and Tylor Megill dominated the Nationals over the first six innings.

“That’s why you don’t give up,” Nationals outfielder Alex Call said. “Megill was on his game today. He did a great job. But once he was out of the game, we took advantage.”

Mets relievers Jose Butto (three hits, three earned runs on Adams homer) and Stanek (two hits, one earned run, loss) were victimized by Washington.

“(He) couldn’t finish hitters,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said of Butto’s outing. “Sinkers got too much of the plate … got a ground ball that found a hole, got behind the nine-hole hitter 3-1 and left a four-seamer there on a guy who’s a very good fastball hitter.”

–Field Level Media