Mets To Call Up No. 11 Prospect Outfielder Ahead Of Game 2 Against Nationals

It appears that the New York Mets have found its swagger after a brutal start to the season, as the team has now gone 11-5 in May after setting a record in last night’s 16-7 win in 12 innings over the Washington Nationals.

The Mets and Nationals played an epic back and forth game through nine innings, with the teams exchanging runs through the eighth inning. Tied 5-5 going into the 10th, both teams failed to score but Mets right-hander Huascar Brazoban pulled a rabbit out of his hat with bases loaded and just one out.

That performance generated enough momentum for second baseman Marcus Semien to put the Mets in front 6-5 with a sacrifice fly. Washington outfielder Joey Wiemer tied it up with a fielder’s choice groundout, but the Mets made the Nationals pay for not walking it off in the 11th.

Rookie outfielder Carson Benge led a charge of 10 runs in the top of the 12th, as the Mets became the first team since 1983 to score at least 10 in an extra inning, driving in three runs with an infield single and double. New York went on to win 16-7, continuing its heater. The Mets have won six of its last seven games and are only five games under .500 (21-26).

The Mets are going to get another boost to its roster as MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo reported that the team is calling up its No. 11 prospect, outfielder Nick Morabito, according to sources.

“Unlike [A.J.] Ewing, Morabito profiles more as a fourth outfielder capable of changing games with his speed and defense off the bench,” DiComo wrote Tuesday. “Like Ewing, he can really burn thanks to what MLB Pipeline rated 70-grade speed on the 20-80 scouting scale. He is also a sound defensive player at all three outfield positions.”

Morabito joins rookies Benge and Ewing in the outfield with Juan Soto and Tyrone Taylor; veteran Austin Slater was designated for assignment to make room for the 23-year-old.

His call-up should provide an extra jolt of energy to a team that is playing well, and rookie right-hander Nolan McLean will look to pitch a strong Game 2 against Washington’s Foster Griffin.

McLean is 2-2 with a 2.92 ERA (21st) and 0.96 WHIP (seventh) with 64 strikeouts (tied-seventh) through nine starts (52.1 innings) this season. He has been an anchor for this starting rotation and will have to step up even more with the loss of right-hander Clay Holmes.

McLean pitched a quality start against the Detroit Tigers his last time out, tossing seven innings and allowing three runs on six hits and three walks with seven punchouts to earn his second win of the year.

Griffin has pitched well for the Nationals, posting a 4-2 record with a 3.53 ERA and 1.14 WHIP through nine starts (51 innings).

The 30-year-old lefty had his worst game of the season the last time he pitched, allowing nine runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out seven against the Cincinnati Reds.

First pitch is at 6:45 p.m. EDT on MLB.TV and regional sports networks.