David Peterson’s Best Start Sparks Mets to Win Over Nationals

The Mets finally snapped a skid, edging out the Washington Nationals 2-1 to split their four-game series. David Peterson bounced back with his best start since Opening Day, working five innings and giving up just one run.

He looked shaky early, loading the bases in the first, but then found his groove and kept the Nationals in check. The bullpen clamped down on Washington late, all while closer Clay Holmes is still sitting on the injured list.

Peterson’s comeback performance anchors the Mets against Washington

Peterson dodged big trouble in the first, striking out Daylen Lile with the bases loaded. That set the tone—he attacked the zone and didn’t back down.

This was his longest outing since April 13. He showed the resilience that manager Carlos Mendoza keeps talking about, which is huge for a rotation that’s been all over the place lately.

After that ugly April 29 start where he gave up seven earned runs, Peterson has turned it around. Four appearances later, he’s carrying a 2.50 ERA, and he’s posted a 2.25 ERA in five relief outings this year.

Mendoza said the Mets will keep leaning on him, especially with their closer still out.

On offense, Bichette did most of the damage with a two-run single in the third off Cade Cavalli. That hit, with two outs, kept his hot streak alive—he went 7-for-19 with three homers over four games.

New York’s early lead mattered, since Washington chipped away in the fifth with an RBI groundout from Andrés Chaparro. Mark Vientos came up big on defense, diving to snag a ball at the edge of the infield to help keep the Mets ahead.

Peterson said getting back to a repeatable delivery and attacking the strike zone helped him recover after the rough first inning. “I felt like the pitcher who made the All-Star team last season,” he admitted, sounding pretty relieved.

This win means a little more with Clay Holmes still out after fracturing his right fibula. The Mets have almost no room for error, so the bullpen had to be sharp in a close game.

Key moments and turning points

• Peterson escapes a bases-loaded jam in the first inning by striking out Daylen Lile.
• Bichette’s two-run single in the third breaks the game open for the Mets.
• The Nationals add an RBI groundout from Andrés Chaparro in the fifth to pull within one.
• Defensive gem by Mark Vientos to preserve the lead in late innings.
• The Mets’ bullpen—Huascar Brazobán, Brooks Raley, Luke Weaver and Devin Williams—shuts down Washington over three scoreless frames.
• Devin Williams fans the side in the ninth to seal it, but the Mets load the bases in the bottom half, leaving insurance runs on the table as Melendez struck out with two men on.

Relief work and late-inning defense

The Mets got solid innings from their bullpen. Brazobán, Raley, Weaver, and Williams combined for three scoreless frames.

Williams looked especially sharp, striking out the side in the ninth to lock it down. The defense and clutch pitching held the lead, which was critical with Holmes still missing and the bullpen asked to do a little extra.

Offense supports Peterson and sets the stage for a Miami trip

Bichette’s clutch hit really stood out, but the Mets also got a broader offensive push after a slow start to the series. Those three runs of support? They ended up being enough for a win that keeps New York hanging around in the postseason chase.

The Nationals did answer once, but the Mets’ defense and bullpen steadied things in the late innings. That’s the kind of formula they’ll need as the rotation tries to find its footing behind Peterson and the rest of the crew.

Now, as the Mets look ahead to Florida, Mendoza’s team faces the challenge of protecting slim leads while knowing the bullpen’s going to get tested. Peterson’s strong outing, Bichette’s steady bat, and better relief work all seem like a decent blueprint moving forward.

Maybe it’s obvious, but attacking the zone, mixing in quality off-speed, and leaning on depth when the starter needs a breather—those are keys. The Miami series feels like a real test for whether this version of the Mets can actually keep it going in a tough division.

 
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