Desmond leads Nationals to 10-3 victory over Mets

Sep 13, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (20) singles to center allowing two runners to score during the fifth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Nationals seemingly did everything right on a rainy Saturday night game in Queens. They poured down hit after hit, scoring at least one run in six of the nine innings, and when it was all said and done, they had beaten the New York Mets, 10-3.

Usually when Doug Fister pitches, he is the main story, but the Nationals offense made him take a back seat yesterday. Four different players had at least two RBIs. Three different players had three or more hits, and two players crushed two-run home runs.

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Bryce Harper got the offense going for the day when he absolutely destroyed the ninth pitch of his at bat in the second inning. The question was not whether or not it was gone, but rather how far? When it finally dropped from orbit, it landed halfway up the second deck, giving the Nats an early two-run lead.

In the top of the fourth, after Ian Desmond and Harper singles, Desmond took off to steal third. He slid in safely, as the throw sailed into left field, thus allowing him to score easily from there. The steal was Desmond’s 20th of the season, making him only the fourth shortstop ever to have three straight seasons of 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases.

In the fifth, the Nationals added three more. First, on an RBI single from Jayson Werth, scoring Denard Span. Then Desmond came up big with a two out, two run single, opening the game up for good, giving the Nats a 6-0 lead.

In the eighth, now with a 7-0 lead, Desmond came to the plate again, and this time crushed a pitch to right center field, missing a home run by three feet, but settling for an RBI double and an 8-3 lead.

Finally in the ninth Denard Span came up with Asdrubal Cabrera on second, and he got hold of a pitch, sailing just over the wall in right center, for the ninth and 10th runs of the game for the Nats.

The team batted .349 on the night against Mets pitching and they look to be in perfect form as we close out the season.

Doug Fister pitched well, allowing three runs (two earned) over six innings. The biggest blow was a two-run homer from Wilmer Flores in the fifth. He worked quickly, as always, and Mets hitters seemed out matched. With the game already in check, Matt Williams pulled him early in order to give other pitchers some work.

In the seventh, Rafael Soriano came into the game for the second time since losing the closer role. He pitched effectively, setting down all three batters he faced, and striking out one. The Nationals hope Soriano will be able to build confidence off this strong inning as they head into October.

Ross Detwiler and Xavier Cedeno added scoreless eight and ninth innings to seal the deal on the win.

The Braves fell in Texas to the Rangers earlier in the day, so the Nationals now have a 9 1/2 game lead, and the magic number is 6.

Looking ahead, the Nats will look to win the four-game series against the Mets on Sunday, and then head to Atlanta for three games starting Monday. If the Nats do not get to clinch in D.C, the next best place to do it would be Atlanta, and a sweep in that series would do just that.

The Nationals ran wild on the Mets on Saturday and the offense was everything this deep lineup can be. The excitement comes on a nightly basis with this ball club, and this Saturday night was no exception.