Conforto’s 3-run triple boosts Mets past Nationals
WASHINGTON — At the end of a long, cold, wet afternoon, the New York Mets managed a split of their final road trip of the season.
Michael Conforto hit a go-ahead, bases-loaded triple, rookie Jeff McNeil matched a career high with four hits and the Mets beat the Washington Nationals 8-6 on Sunday.
The first pitch was delayed 25 minutes, and rain continued during the game, which lasted 4 hours, 14 minutes — the longest nine-inning contest this season for both teams. Washington’s grounds crew tended to the infield between innings throughout the day.
The Mets finished their road slate at 40-41, better than their 33-42 mark at home, where they have six games left. New York took three of four from the Nationals in the teams’ final series of the season, and went 5-5 on its trip to Boston, Philadelphia and Washington.
“It was nice to come in here and be able to do what we did to kind of even up the road trip,” manager Mickey Callaway said. “We played some good teams on the road trip and I think our guys have done a good job of continuing to fight all year, whether it’s the season or a road trip, or whatever. You don’t always see that, so I’m really proud of that from them.”
Washington, which fell to .500 (78-78) a day after it was eliminated from playoff contention, scored three runs in the eighth and got the tying man into scoring position with two outs before Juan Soto fouled out.
The Nationals led 3-1 before New York rallied in the fourth. Wander Suero (3-1) entered with one out and two on and issued a walk before McNeil singled in a run.
Conforto then poked a shot to left-center past a diving Michael A. Taylor to clear the bases and make it 5-3. Suero surrendered two more runs in the fifth when Kevin Plawecki delivered an RBI double and scored on Amed Rosario’s infield single.
Drew Gagnon (2-1) pitched two scoreless innings for the Mets. Anthony Swarzak recorded the final five outs for his fourth save in five tries.
New York starter Steven Matz allowed three runs in three innings. Washington’s Erick Fedde surrendered three runs in 31⁄ innings.
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McNeil improved his batting average to .328 in 195 at-bats since his bigleague debut on July 24.