The following piece breaks down Washington’s 5-4 win over the New York Mets, led by CJ Abrams’ eighth-inning go-ahead two-run homer. It also looks at the Mets’ rough start and what the upcoming pitching plans might mean for both teams as the early season unfolds.
Abrams delivers the go-ahead blast as Nationals rally past Mets
The Washington Nationals topped the New York Mets 5-4 on Thursday, riding a dramatic late-inning moment to snap a skid against an opponent they’ve been chasing all of April.
CJ Abrams supplied the decisive hit—a 403-foot homer in the eighth that erased a Mets advantage and put Washington on top for good.
The scene really summed up the Mets’ season so far: some big offense, but then late-game lapses and a bullpen that still hasn’t settled in.
For the Mets, it’s another tough loss—17 in their last 20—as the calendar flips toward May.
The Nationals, meanwhile, showed what a capable lineup can do when it actually gets timely power and steady defense behind a pitching plan that, for once, worked out.
Key moments that defined the game
Several plays shaped the result beyond Abrams’ late shot.
In the first inning, James Wood leaped at the right-field wall and robbed Juan Soto of a homer. That play really set the tone, showing Washington’s defense can still swing momentum when it matters.
Washington jumped ahead 2-0 early on a pair of runs—a Mets error let Jorbit Vivas score, then Nasim Nuñez crossed on Jacob Young’s single.
- Mets answer back in the third: MJ Melendez hit a three-run homer to give New York a 3-2 lead. Mark Vientos added an RBI double in the sixth to help the Mets reclaim a lead.
- Abrams’ earlier RBI: Abrams knocked in a run with a single in the third, pulling Washington within one and setting up the late-game drama.
- Go-ahead homer: Abrams lined a two-run shot off Luke Weaver in the eighth, flipping the score and sending Nationals fans into a frenzy.
- Close-out: Gus Varland came in for the save, recording four outs—including a big strikeout of Ronny Mauricio with Francisco Álvarez on second.
The defense and bullpen really stepped up. Washington leaned on timely hits and a lockdown finish to steal the win in front of their home crowd.
What’s next: pitching plans and series outlook
Looking ahead, Washington will turn to a left-right combo on the mound.
RHP Jake Irvin (1-3, 4.85) is set to start Friday against Milwaukee. After that, RHP Jacob Misiorowski (1-2, 3.31) is lined up as the club heads into a stretch with more division games looming.
The Mets will send out RHP Christian Scott (0-0, 6.75) in the same Friday start. RHP Walbert Ureña (0-3, 4.76) is projected to pitch next, this time in Los Angeles against the Angels.
These pitching choices matter, especially with the Mets’ payroll and their need for steadier arms in close games. Honestly, who knows? Maybe one of these guys finds their groove and changes the conversation.
Payroll pressure and early-season reality for the Mets
New York entered the season with the highest payroll in baseball—about $358.4 million. That eye-popping number has only turned up the heat as they stumbled to a 3-6 start at home before heading out for a nine-game California trip.
The gap between what fans expect and what’s actually happening on the field has put more weight on development and depth. Winning away from Citi Field suddenly feels a lot more urgent.
This franchise is used to chasing the NL East crown, but April’s been a reality check. A fat payroll doesn’t guarantee anything when bullpen stumbles and shaky defense show up late in games.
The Mets now face a real test: can they pivot fast, juggle workloads, and squeeze more out of their offense? Sometimes, all it takes is a well-timed hit to flip a game.
Meanwhile, the Nationals hope to keep their own momentum rolling by leaning on bullpen depth to close out close games. The Mets, though, are still hunting for some sort of steadiness from a rotation that flashes promise but can’t quite string it together yet.
April’s stats don’t lie—every win counts, and one big swing can change everything as the season grinds on toward May. Baseball doesn’t really care how much you spend; it just wants to see who can deliver when it matters.
Here is the source article for this story: Mets tumble to 17th loss in 20 games, Nationals win 5-4 on Abrams’ go-ahead, 2-run homer in 8th
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