Mets Face Tough Loss Against Nationals

WASHINGTON — The Mets had a chance on Wednesday thanks to a rookie pitcher making his major league debut.

There was also some action from the batting lineup, but it didn’t quite pan out. This felt reminiscent of earlier days, when the Mets struggled to find offensive rhythm against any pitcher they faced.

In a game that perhaps lacked excitement, the Mets lost their second consecutive match, falling 8-4 at Nationals Park.

Juan Soto impressed once again, smashing two home runs, including a two-run shot in the eighth inning. This late-game blast gave the Mets a glimmer of hope for a comeback. Soto has now hit five homers in his last seven games.

Zach Thornton, who was called up from Triple-A Syracuse to fill in for the injured Clay Holmes, faced some challenges—allowing a three-run homer in the first inning. However, he managed to settle down, yielding just one run in the second. Despite the rocky start, the lefty retired nine of the final ten batters he faced.

Thornton ended his outing with four earned runs on four hits, two walks, and three strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings, keeping the Mets in the game. He was ejected after throwing 80 pitches right before facing the Nationals for the third time.

It’s uncertain how long Thornton will remain in his position. With Jonah Tong set to start this weekend in Miami, shifts in the rotation could affect his place on the team.

Shortly after rookie Nick Morabito debuted, he found himself on the bench as manager Carlos Mendoza opted for MJ Melendez to start against right-hander Zach Littell.

Thornton’s major league arrival wasn’t easy, as he gave up a three-run homer to C.J. Abrams in his first inning. Curtis Meade had a single, followed by Andre Chaparro’s walk that set up Abrams’ dash to right-center.

After Mark Vientos hit a leadoff double, the Mets cut the deficit to 3-1 with an RBI single from Brett Batty in the second. AJ Ewing also contributed with a single, but Littell struck out Hayden Senger.

Nasim Nunez made an aggressive play, stealing second base and advancing to third due to Senger’s throwing error. Keibert Lewis then added an RBI single, extending the Nationals’ lead to 4-1.

Yet, the Mets responded in the third inning with Soto’s stunning shot from the right mezzanine.

Thanks to Carson Benge’s arm, the Mets avoided giving up a fifth run. Luis Garcia Jr. singled with two outs, but Benge managed to throw a strike to Senger, capturing the final out. Lewis had a double against Thornton, but that was the last time the Nationals had a runner on base.

Austin Warren allowed another run in the sixth, pushing the Nationals’ lead to 5-2. Singles from Abrams and Dylan Cruz, coupled with a sacrifice fly from Daylen Lyle, added to their tally.

Nunez’s sacrifice bunt, followed by Jacob Young’s double, brought in a sixth run, while Craig Kimbrel capped the inning with the final two outs.

In the eighth inning, Young hit a two-run homer off Kimbrel, further solidifying the Nationals’ lead.