On Tuesday night, José Quintana delivered an impressive performance while Pete Alonso smashed his 42nd home run and Brandon Nimmo hit two home runs, leading the New York Mets to an 11-5 victory over the Washington Nationals.
In the first inning, Francisco Alvarez made a three-run hit, and Francisco Lindor also hit a home run for the Mets. This was a much-needed boost for Quintana, as the Mets had only managed to score two or fewer runs in six out of his eight starts this season.
Quintana (2-5) worked a season-high seven innings. He gave up his only run two batters into the game and didn’t allow a hit after the third.
Patrick Corbin (9-13) allowed a season-worst eight runs while failing to make it through five innings for the first time since opening day as Washington lost its sixth straight, matching its worst skid of the season.
Before getting swept by Miami in four games at Nationals Park, Washington had won 16 of 20 at home to send underachieving, high-priced New York into the NL East cellar. The Mets now lead the last-place Nationals by 2 1/2 games.
Alvarez’s homer was his first since Aug. 1 and 22nd of the season. The rookie catcher turned on Corbin’s 1-0 fastball and sent it an estimated 419 feet to the bleachers behind the Mets’ bullpen in left to make it 4-0.
Lindor hit his 26th home run to start a three-run third inning. With two outs, Mark Vientos hit a triple off the center-field wall. Alvarez walked, successfully stole his first base ever, and then crossed home plate when Brett Baty hit a blooper over the outstretched glove of third baseman Carter Kieboom for a two-run single, extending the score to 7-1.
Nimmo hit a home run by himself in the fourth inning towards the Nationals’ bullpen on the right side. Andres Machado was already preparing to replace Corbin. In the fifth inning, Alonso welcomed Machado with a home run. Nimmo started the ninth inning with his 22nd home run of the season.
Corbin has experienced 13 defeats on five separate occasions throughout his professional career, with the most recent three seasons being with the Nationals. Despite assisting Washington in winning a World Series championship during the initial year of his six-year, $140 million agreement, the 34-year-old left-handed pitcher has struggled with a win-loss record of 26-55 ever since.
Mets right-hander Sam Coonrod, recalled from Triple-A Syracuse before the game to replace the injured Carlos Carrasco, did not retire any of the five batters he faced in the eighth. He was charged with four runs. Sean Reid-Foley allowed two inherited runners to score but ended Washington’s chance at an unlikely rally.
POWER IS NOT THE PROBLEM
The Mets, with a disappointing season despite a high payroll of $365 million, have hit 185 home runs. In comparison, last year they hit 171 home runs and had a successful record of 101-61.
TRAINER’S ROOM
The New York Mets’ right-handed pitcher, Carrasco, suffered an injury to his right pinky finger while weightlifting. He underwent surgeries to repair and stabilize the bone using a pin. As a result, Carrasco will be unable to play for the remainder of the season, according to manager Buck Showalter.
The Washington Nationals decided to give OF Lane Thomas a break due to a back injury. Thomas, who has been hitting exceptionally well lately and has hit home runs in three consecutive games, had an MRI on Tuesday and the team is currently waiting for the results. Additionally, SS CJ Abrams was also given the night off, marking the first time this season that both he and Thomas were absent from the team’s lineup. On a positive note, RHP MacKenzie Gore has returned from the bereavement list and is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday before starting on Friday.
UP NEXT
The teams wrap up their season series on Wednesday night, with José Butto (0-2, 4.30 ERA) starting for New York against Joan Adon (2-1, 5.90).
