Francisco Lindor's single to right field drove in Cristian Pache to complete a two-run rally and give the Mets a 5-4 walk-off win over the Washington Nationals on Saturday.
The Mets have been trying to revive their lost season since the MLB trade deadline. However, it's far too late in the season to make a move in the NL East or wild-card standings. They are still buried in last place at 55-69, 19 games behind the first-place Atlanta Braves and 4.5 games back from the Nats for fourth place.
Jared Young's bases-loaded single in the first inning gave the Mets a 2-0 lead against Washington opener Brad Lord. However, the Nationals got back on track with a solo home run from Andrés Chaparro in the fourth and a 3-run shot from Brady House in the sixth to take a 4-2 lead.
The Mets' recent success, winning eight of 11 games since the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline, might be a silver lining for the team. Yet, it's not enough to change their overall standing in the season.
The Nationals have been struggling lately, losing four of their past five games since a three-game sweep over the Cincinnati Reds. This has dropped Washington to 60-65 and six games back from the NL's third wild-card playoff spot with six teams ahead of them in the standings.
In the ninth inning, Brett Baty drew a leadoff walk on five pitches from Nationals reliever Yovanny Cruz. Jorge Polanco followed with a single on a hanging slider in the middle of the strike zone and Pache pinch-ran for him. Baty came around to score on a double from Francisco Alvarez, tying the score at 4-4.
However, the Nationals' hopes were crushed when Lindor lifted a low slider over the right fielder's head to score the game-winning run. Lindor's walk-off single has given the Mets a much-needed win, but it's unlikely to change their overall season outcome.
The Mets have now won eight of 11 games since the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline when the front office dealt away eight players. Yet, even with this recent success, they are still far from making a move in the NL East or wild-card standings.
The Nationals will look to bounce back from their loss, but it won't be easy. They are six games back from the NL's third wild-card playoff spot with six teams ahead of them in the standings.
Source: Yahoo Sports