Top Of Mets Lineup Is Cooking, Need To Stay Hot Rest Of Nationals Series

The New York Mets lost just its second game in its last eight after the Washington Nationals got to rookie phenom Nolan McLean in Game 2 of the four-game series and defeated New York 9-6 Tuesday night.

The Mets were in control of this one early, as third baseman Bo Bichette hit a two-run home run to open the proceedings in the first inning followed by a sacrifice fly off the bat of second baseman Marcus Semien and another two-run homer by Bichette in the second inning to go up 5-0.

Washington countered in the next half-inning when star outfielder James Wood hit an inside-the-park grand slam to cut the deficit to one run. Designated hitter Jose Tena hit a solo shot to tie it in the third, followed by shortstop C.J. Abrams scoring on a passed ball and a sac fly by Jorbit Vivas, allowing the Nationals to take a 7-5 lead.

A fielder’s choice by Abrams led to Wood and Tena scoring on an error by catcher Luis Torrens in the fourth inning, putting the game out of reach. Mets DH Juan Soto drilled a solo shot in front of his former team in the seventh but it wasn’t enough to spark a comeback.

McLean had his worst start in Major League Baseball, surrendering nine runs (six earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out five. He took his third loss of the season and his ERA jumped from 2.92 to 3.57.

Although Washington’s Foster Griffin was touched up for five runs in the first two innings, those were the only runs he allowed the rest of his outing and he lasted three more innings. He allowed eight hits and struck out five to earn his fifth win of the year. Old friend, left-hander Richard Lovelady, picked up his third save with a clean inning.

Game 3 is pivotal for the Mets, which trail the Nationals by 2.5 games. New York will call upon rookie left-hander Zach Thornton to start against right-hander Zack Littell.

Thornton (Mets No. 13 prospect) got the call instead of Jonah Tong (Mets No. 2) and Jack Wenninger (Mets No. 5) because of the organization’s belief in his ability to throw strikes at a high clip. Thornton is 1-3 with a 3.16 ERA in seven starts with Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse.

Littell carries a 2-4 record with a rough 6.10 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 20 strikeouts through nine games (six starts, 41.1 innings). After pitching bulk innings out of the bullpen a couple of times, the Nationals rewarded him with another start against the Baltimore Orioles, and he earned his second win of the season after pitching five two-hit innings with two walks and three punchouts.

Littell will have his hands full against the top of the Mets’ lineup, which has been on fire this month. Rookie outfielder Carson Benge in particular has gotten it going in the leadoff spot, producing three three-hit games in his last four games with four RBI in that stretch.

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