Despite a stellar performance from starter Tanner Roark, the Washington Nationals fell to the New York Mets in Sunday afternoon’s season finale. The offense was dormant all day long and the bullpen faltered in the eighth inning, bringing a very fitting end to a disappointing 2015 season for the Nationals.
Roark got the start for the Nationals and the right-hander turned in one of his best starts of the year. Roark pitched six scoreless innings while allowing just three hits, striking out six batters and walking one. It was a good finish to an inconsistent season for the right-hander, who will likely compete for a spot in the 2016 starting rotation next spring.
While Roark was phenomenal, Mets starter Jacob deGrom was just as un-hittable. deGrom pitched only four innings, but the Mets’ right-hander didn’t allow a hit and struck out seven batters. The Nationals struggled all night long against Mets pitching, recording only two hits against seven New York pitchers.
The Mets scored their only run in the eighth inning, when Curtis Grandson hit a solo homer against Nationals reliever Blake Treinen. That was all the offense the Mets would need, however, as Washington wasn’t able to do much of anything with the bat today.
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The Nationals mounted their only rally in the top of the ninth inning. Trailing 1-0, Bryce Harper hit a double to put the tying run in scoring position for Jayson Werth. Unfortunately for the Nationals, Werth popped up to end Game 162 in the Mets’ favor.
With the loss, the Nationals end the season at 83-79 and seven games back of the first-place Mets. Once favorites to win the NL East, the Nationals end the season in second place, well ahead of the Marlins, the Braves and the Phillies.
Stay tuned to DoD throughout the offseason as we bring you the latest from what promises to be an interesting Winter for the Nationals.