Field Level Media
Aug 9, 2019
Michael Conforto laced an RBI single to right field to cap a four-run ninth-inning comeback by the scorching New York Mets, who moved closer to a National League wild-card playoff berth with a stunning 7-6 win against the visiting Washington Nationals.
The Mets won their seventh straight contest. New York, which began the day tied with the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies a half-game back of the Milwaukee Brewers, was eight games out of the second wild-card spot 15 days ago.
The Nationals, who entered Friday atop the NL wild-card standings, had a three-game winning streak snapped.
The Mets trailed 6-3 entering the ninth inning, when J.D. Davis led off with a double down the third-base line against Sean Doolittle (6-4). Wilson Ramos followed with a single to center before Todd Frazier hit a homer well beyond the left-field fence and just fair.
Joe Panik, who was signed earlier in the day by the Mets, followed with a single. Panik was forced at second on a bunt by Juan Lagares. After Jeff McNeil flew out to right, Amed Rosario singled to bring up Conforto, who hit a ball well over the head of drawn-in right fielder Adam Eaton to set off a wild celebration. Conforto raced beyond second base before being engulfed by his teammates, who ripped his uniform off.
Luis Avilan (3-0) got the final two outs of the ninth.
Anthony Rendon had an RBI triple in the fourth and a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh for the Nationals. Juan Soto hit a two-run homer in the fourth and Trea Turner raced home on a wild pitch for what appeared to be an insurance run in the ninth.
The Mets mounted their first comeback in the fourth inning, when Pete Alonso homered for the fourth straight game -- one shy of the team record -- when he launched a two-run shot into the left field seats. It was his 38th homer, one shy of Cody Bellinger's record for National League rookies and three away from tying the Mets' single-season record.
Davis followed with a homer deep into the right-field seats to tie the game and send the crowd of 39,602 into a frenzy.
Mets starter Marcus Stroman allowed four runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out a season-high nine over six-plus innings.
Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out six over seven innings.
--Field Level Media