Francisco Lindor's clutch single in the bottom of the ninth inning propelled the New York Mets to a dramatic 5-4 comeback victory over the Washington Nationals on Saturday at Citi Field. Lindor, who has been on a strong second-half surge, drove in the winning run with his hit, extending the Mets' recent momentum.
The decisive rally began with a walk to Brett Baty, followed by a single from Jorge Polanco. Francisco Alvarez then hit an RBI double, tying the game at 4-4 before Lindor's walk-off hit.
Mets pitcher Sean Manaea was the victim of a key home run in the sixth inning. Brady House connected on a sweeper that hit the left-field foul pole, driving in three runs and breaking Manaea's streak of four consecutive quality starts. Manaea ultimately allowed four earned runs on six hits and two walks over 6 2/3 innings, striking out seven.
The Mets had taken an early lead in the first inning when Jared Young hit a two-run double. This came after starting pitcher Brad Lord walked the bases loaded.
Washington tied the game in the fourth inning when Andres Chaparro hit a solo home run. Manaea later plunked Andrew Pinckney and walked Chaparro before House's three-run homer gave the Nationals a 4-2 advantage. It marked the first time in five starts that Manaea had surrendered multiple home runs.
The Nationals extended their lead to 4-2 in the sixth inning. However, the Mets chipped away at the lead. Carson Benge homered leading off the bottom of the sixth against reliever Tom Cosgrove. Benge also made a crucial defensive play in the seventh, throwing out a runner attempting to score from third base.
Lindor reached base with a leadoff single in the eighth inning but was later thrown out attempting to advance on a wild pitch. The Mets had runners at second and third in the eighth, but Marcus Semien was retired for the final out of the inning. Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez celebrates after his game-tying double in the ninth inning.