Lindor powers Mets to split
Peraza’s two-run homer breaks up Lester’s shutout bid for Nats in nightcap
Jon Lester pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning to gain his first win for Washington, Kyle Schwarber backed him with four RBIS on a pair of home runs and the Nationals beat the New York Mets 6-2 Saturday to split a day-night doubleheader.
Francisco Lindor had five RBIS on a pair of two-run homers and runscoring single for his first big offensive game with the Mets, who won the opener 5-1.
Lester, a 37-year-old left-hander, signed a $5 million, one-year contract with the Nationals after six seasons with the Chicago Cubs that included the team’s first World Series title in 108 years.
New York started an all righthanded batting order against Lester (1-2), who was within three outs of his first shutout in seven years before Jose Peraza hit a two-run homer in the seventh.
Lester gave up two runs and seven hits in six-plus innings with six strikeouts and no walks. He is 8-1 in his last 11 regular-season starts against the Mets, winning his last six decisions.
Wander Suero allowed a pair of hits, and Brad Hand retired James Mccann on a first-pitch groundout for his 14th save in 16 chances.
Schwarber has 28 home runs in games started by Lester, his former Cubs teammate,
He led off the first with a home run off Robert Gsellman (0-1), who made his first start this season, and a three-run homer in the third off Sean Reid-foley, who gave up five runs, five hits and four walks in 12⁄3 innings. Schwarber has 15 home runs this season.
Trea Turner homered in the third, his 11th this season but first since May 17.
In the opener, Lindor homered in the first on a sinker from Joe Ross (3-7), singled in the third on a changeup for a 3-0 lead and homered in the fifth on a slider for his 12th multi-homer game. The five RBIS were his most since his career-high seven for the Indians on July 2, 2018, at Kansas City.
“I think the first one gave me more satisfaction because it showed the work that I am doing is working,” Lindor said.
Cleveland traded Lindor to the Mets in January, and New York signed the 27-year-old to contracts worth $363.2 million over 11 seasons. Lindor, who had not driven in more than two runs in a game this season, is hitting .218 with eight homers and 21 RBIS.
“Once again, I’m just glad he’s trusting his power,” Mets manager Luis Rojas said. “He can create power and he doesn’t need to only pull the ball.”
Ross (3-7) allowed five runs and six hits in five innings. He was coming off consecutive starts without allowing an earned run.
“I just got beat by one guy,” Ross said. “It is what it is.”
Trainer’s room
Mets: RHP Jacob degrom threw a full bullpen session on his 33rd birthday and is on track to start one of the games in Monday’s doubleheader against Atlanta. Rojas said degrom felt normal during a 20pitch session. Degrom (6-2, 0.54) left his Wednesday start after three innings because of right shoulder soreness. … LHP Joey Lucchesi was put on the 10-day IL with left elbow inflammation, a day after pitching 51⁄3 scoreless innings