Winker Homer Stuns Mets in 1-0 Loss
For seven innings in Washington D.C., there were no fireworks on the Fourth of July.
But pinch-hitter Jesse Winker broke a scoreless tie with a solo homer off Adrian Houser (1-5) in the eighth inning and the Washington Nationals (41-46) beat the New York Mets 1-0 Thursday to split a four-game series. Winker has six career homers off Houser and doesn’t have more than two against any other pitcher.
Jul 4, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; starting pitcher Jose Quintana (62) throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports
The Mets (42-43) wasted a great performance from Jose Quintana, who tossed seven scoreless innings. He gave up four hits, three walks, and fanned one in his longest outing since April 28. He gave way to Houser in the eighth.
Jake Irvin (7-6) matched Quintana pitch for pitch. The right-hander went eight innings, striking out eight and allowing one hit and one walk. Derek Law pitched a perfect ninth for his first save, striking out Brandon Nimmo to end the game.
Jeff McNeil singled in the third inning for the Mets’ only hit of the game. The Mets were shut out for the seventh time this season. The game was played in 1 hour, 58 minutes.
Stat of the Game
Mets-Nats was Game No. 1,295 in MLB this season and just the 26th in which both starters went at least seven innings, according to SNY. The Mets have been involved in three of those games. The others were Luis Severino vs. Jameson Taillon of the Cubs and Tylor Megill vs. Tyler Glasnow of the Dodgers.
Player of the Game
Quintana prepared for the unusual 11 a.m. start time by setting his alarm for 7:30 a.m. for three days in a row leading up to the game, according to SNY. He has given up three earned runs in his last four starts for a 1.16 ERA covering 23 1/3 innings.
On Deck
Luis Severino (5-2, 3.42 ERA) gets the ball as the Mets start a four-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The Mets will get their first look at rookie phenom Paul Skenes (4-0, 2.06 ERA), who has struck out 70 in 52 1/3 innings. The game will air on SNY starting at 6:40 p.m. ET.
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