James Wood laced the tiebreaking run-scoring single in the seventh for his first career RBI on Wednesday night for the Washington Nationals, who overcame a five-run deficit to beat the visiting New York Mets 7-5 in the third game of a four-game series.
Luis Garcia Jr. homered twice — a three-run shot in the sixth and an insurance solo blast in the eighth — for the Nationals, who won for just the second time in nine games. It was the career second two-home game for Garcia, who went deep twice against the Philadelphia Phillies on Aug. 4, 2021.
Tyrone Taylor, Mark Vientos and Francisco Lindor all homered to put the Mets ahead 5-0 before they tied a season high by squandering a five-run lead for the second time in five games and the third time this season. New York was ahead 6-1 in a 9-6 loss to the Houston Astros on Saturday and 7-2 in a 10-9, 10-inning loss to the Miami Marlins on May 18.
The loss was just the ninth in the past 27 games for the Mets, who fell to .500 at 42-42.
Mets rookie Christian Scott allowed just one hit in the first four innings before the Nationals began rallying in the fifth, when Ildemaro Vargas hit an RBI single. Scott was one out away from getting out of a two-on jam in the sixth when Garcia homered to right.
Adam Ottavino got the next three outs before the Nationals completed the comeback against Jake Diekman (2-3), who gave up Lane Thomas’ game-tying RBI double five pitches before Wood’s single.
Wood, who was called up from Triple-A Rochester, had his first two-hit game. Jesse Winker also had two hits.
Four Nationals relievers combined to hold the Mets hitless over the final four innings. Jacob Barnes (4-2) tossed a perfect seventh and Kyle Finnegan earned his 23rd save with a 1-2-3 ninth.
Rookie Mitchell Parker allowed the five runs on six hits and no walks while striking out five in six innings.
Five players had one hit apiece for the Mets.
Scott, who was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse earlier Wednesday, gave up four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two over 5 2/3 innings.
–Field Level Media
