Washington Nationals Squander Lead, Lose to New York Mets, 3

After all their recent success at Citi Field, the Washington Nationals arrived in New York with every reason to think they would extend their lead in the NL East. Washington right-hander Jordan Zimmermann attempts to prevent a sweep as he opposes New York rookie Noah Syndergaard.

Anthony Rendon (3-for-4) and Yunel Escobar homered for the Nationals.

Harvey got the first two outs in the eighth before pinch-hitter Clint Robinson was hit by a pitch on the foot.

Also in game-winning form was Clayton Kershaw for the LA Dodgers, as he shut out their city rivals the Los Angeles Angels for eight innings in what was ultimately a 3-1 win. Ian Desmond then hit a two-run single.

Both benches cleared in the top of the eighth after Brandon Phillips was hit by Pirates left-hander Tony Watson, an inning after Andrew McCutchen of the Reds was plunked by Pedro Villarreal. Do you remember what it was like when the Mets couldn’t borrow a two-out hit?

The big first baseman connected twice off Ross. Manager Clint Hurdle was ejected as well. OF Yoenis Cespedes, acquired from Detroit before the trade deadline, is the 11th Cuban-born player to play for the Mets. He gave up four hits with five strikeouts and one walk.

Heading out of the weekend the Yankees have a six game lead in the AL East over the Orioles and the Blue Jays. This time around, why can’t it be the Mets, who haven’t had a winning campaign since “08 and have finished an average of 21½ games out of first place over these past six years?” Washington came into this weekend’s series with a 33-9 record at Citi Field over the past five seasons. Over his last 12 starts, deGrom has a 1.37 ERA.

He’s tied with Carlos Gonzalez of Colorado for most home runs since the All-Star break, with eight. If that holds true, this would be the first non-strike-shortened season since 1984 in which fewer than four teams won more than 90 games, according to Stats LLC.

In fact, only the last-place Phillies, with just 15 wins, have been worse on the road this season.

Lonnie Chisenhall had three hits, stole a base and scored the go-ahead run for the Indians. Donaldson went 3-for-4 with a walk and two RBIs. Fangraphs still projects the Nats at 68.6% to win the division; Baseball Prospectus has them at 56.1%.

Following their epic homerless streak, the Mets have rocked 26 long balls in the last 19 games. He began simply 4 of 16 video games between July Three and July 24. It was Carpenter’s seventh career leadoff homer and third this season. While thats’ a fine strategy, caring about the Mets does make some kind of sense, seeing as they’re in his division and all.

Rendon had three hits for the Nationals, who had been alone in first place day-after-day since June 20. Flores wasn’t playing poorly for the Mets, but at the time, he was batting just.249, and he had been booed back in April.

Mychal Givens (1-0) earned his first big league win with 1 2-3 innings of one-hit relief.

Collins put Cespedes in his familiar spot in left field Saturday to allow the Cuban star a chance to get acclimated to New York. Duda had been the lone baserunner, drawing a walk to lead off the second.

It certainly helps that the Mets just swept the Nationals and fans are in a good mood.

Nathan Eovaldi (11-2) was the victor.