September 17 – Starlin Marte hits a game-ending single with one out in the 10th inning, giving the New York Mets a 2–1 win over the Washington Nationals on Monday.
After Tyrone Taylor was intentionally walked in the bottom of the inning, Francisco Alvarez hit a fly ball to the warning track in right field, forcing backup runner Harrison Bader to come in to replace automatic runner Mark Wynn Thos. Five pitches later, Marte hit a 3-1 fastball from Jacob Barnes (8-3) to left field, allowing Bader to score easily for the win.
Marte made sure the Mets (82-68) avoided a third straight loss, but was mobbed by teammates at second base. The Mets earned their 11th win of the season on a night when Francisco Lindor missed the game with a lower back injury.
Meanwhile, the Braves (81-69) lost to the Dodgers on Monday night, leaving New York one game ahead of Atlanta in the race for the third National League wild-card spot.
Reed Garrett (8-5) was 1-2-3 in the 10th inning before Marte came on.
Jose Iglesias’s tying infield single in the eighth inning scored Taylor, who hit a two-run double against Washington starter Jake Irvin and moved to third on Alvarez’s grounder. But the Mets were unable to take the lead against reliever Derek Law when J.D. Martinez tripled with two on and two outs.
Irvin allowed one run on four hits in 7 1/3 innings. He struck out five, walked one and hit 11 on ground balls.
Washington manager Dave Martinez challenged first base umpire Charlie Ramos’ safety call when Irvin struck out after Alvarez’s at-bat. Law hit a single on Iglesias’ return and was put out, but the ball landed behind the mound in front of second base.
Washington’s Josh Turner, who had reached base safely for 12 consecutive games, gave up an RBI hit in the fourth inning.
Mets starter Sean Manaea allowed one run on four hits in seven innings of work. He struck out six and struck out one.
——Visual-level media
