QUEENS, NY — Jeff McNeil’s first-inning three-run home run led the Mets to a 4-3 win over the Washington Nationals on Thursday at Citi Field, completing a three-game sweep of their NL East rivals. Brandon Nimmo added his third home run in two games in the fifth inning, as the Mets have now won six straight.
The victory was dampened by an apparent right hamstring injury to starting pitcher Kodai Senga, who left the game after 5.2 scoreless innings of one-hit, one-walk, and one-strikeout play. Senga was injured covering first base.
After Jose Castillo and Huascar Brazoban combined for 2.1 shutout innings, Ryne Stanek and Edwin Diaz nearly lost a 4-0 lead. However, Diaz escaped a second-and-third, one-out jam by getting three consecutive outs.
In the first inning, McNeil homered with two outs, hitting a second straight inside fastball over the right-field fence, just inside the foul pole. He now has five home runs in his last 11 games after only two in his first 27.
Nimmo extended the lead to 4-0 in the fifth, hitting another inside fastball from Mike Soroka off the right-field foul pole. Nimmo has been on a hot streak, with five home runs and 10 RBI in his last 16 games.
Senga was impressive from the start, retiring 13 consecutive batters after allowing a one-out single in the first. His day ended in the sixth when he injured his hamstring reaching first base after a high throw from Pete Alonso.
After Jose Castillo allowed a two-out single in the sixth, Tyrone Taylor made a diving catch to prevent extra bases and keep Washington scoreless.
In the ninth, Stanek allowed lead-off singles, prompting manager Carlos Mendoza to bring in Diaz with no outs. Diaz walked a batter and allowed an RBI single to make it a two-run game. A passed ball brought in another run, but Diaz managed to get the final two outs to secure the win.
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