Starling Marte hit a game-ending single with one out in the 10th inning as the New York Mets earned a 2-1 victory over the visiting Washington Nationals on Monday.
After Tyrone Taylor was intentionally walked leading off the inning, Francisco Alvarez hit a fly ball to the warning track in right field to advance pinch runner Harrison Bader, who came on for automatic runner Mark Vientos. Five pitches later, Marte won it by lining a 3-1 fastball from Jacob Barnes (8-3) into left field to easily score Bader.
After Marte ensured the Mets (82-68) avoided their third straight loss, he was mobbed by his teammates at second base. The Mets logged their 11th walk-off win of the season on a night when Francisco Lindor did not play to a lower back injury.
Meanwhile, the Braves (81-69) lost to the Dodgers on Monday night, giving New York a one-game lead over Atlanta in the race for the third National League wild-card spot.
Reed Garrett (8-5) pitched a 1-2-3 top of the 10th before Marte came through.
Jose Iglesias hit a tying infield single in the eighth to score Taylor, who opened the inning with a double against Washington starter Jake Irvin and took third on a groundout by Alvarez. But the Mets were unable to get the lead against reliever Derek Law when J.D. Martinez took a called third strike 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 got 11 outs via groundballs.
Irvin exited after Alvarez’s groundout, when Washington manager Dave Martinez challenged the safe call by first base umpire Charlie Ramos. Law allowed the single to Iglesias on a comebacker that he knocked down, but it trickled behind the mound in front of second base.
Washington’s Jose Tena, who has reached base safely in 12 straight games, delivered an RBI single in the fourth inning.
Mets starter Sean Manaea allowed one run on four hits in seven innings. He struck out six and walked one.
–Field Level Media
