Lindor breaks out, 5 RBIs lead Mets over Nats 5-1 in opener
WASHINGTON (AP) - Francisco Lindor had five RBIs on a pair of two-run homers and run-scoring single for his first big offensive game with the New York Mets, a 5-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on Saturday in the opener of a day-night doubleheader.
Lindor homered in the first on a sinker from Joe Ross (3-7), singled in the third on a changeup for a 3-0 lead and homered in the fifth on a slider for his 12th multi-homer game. The five RBIs were his most since his career-high seven for the Indians on July 2, 2018, at Kansas City.
"I think the first one gave me more satisfaction because it showed the work that I am doing is working," Lindor said.
Cleveland traded Lindor to the Mets in January, and New York signed the 27-year-old to contracts worth $363.2 million over 11 seasons. Lindor, who had not driven in more than two runs in a game this season, is hitting .218 with eight homers and 21 RBIs.
"Once again, I´m just glad he´s trusting his power," Mets manager Luis Rojas said. "He can create power and he doesn´t need to only pull the ball."
New York opened a seven-game lead over fourth-place Washington in the NL East and stopped the Nationals' season-high, five-game winning streak.
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates his two-run home run with Pete Alonso (20) during the fifth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Washington. This is a makeup of a postponed game from April 1. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
David Peterson threw a season-high 94 pitches but fell short of qualifying for the win, allowing one run and two hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Rojas removed Peterson after Trea Turner's two-out double in the fifth, and Aaron Loup (2-0) allowed Juan Soto's RBI single. Josh Bell walked, and Loup struck out Josh Harrison on three pitches.
Miguel Castro and Seth Lugo combined to pitch the sixth, and Trevor May finished a four-hitter in a seven-inning game under pandemic rules.
Ross (3-7) allowed five runs and six hits in five innings. He was coming off consecutive starts without allowing an earned run.
"I just got beat by one guy," Ross said. "It is what it is."
Peterson scored New York's first run after he was hit by a pitch and also doubled leading off the fifth for his first big league hit.
"I feel like a full baseball player today," Peterson said.
Left-hander Jon Lester (0-2, 4.09 ERA) was to start the second game for the Nationals and Robert Gsellman (0-0, 3.65) for the Mets.
TRAINER´S ROOM
Nationals: RHP Max Scherzer (right groin) threw a bullpen session Saturday. Scherzer (5-4, 2.21 ERA) pitched just one-third of an inning in his June 11 start.
Mets: RHP Jacob deGrom (right shoulder) threw a full bullpen session and is on track to start one of the the games in Monday's doubleheader against Atlanta. Rojas said deGrom felt normal during a 20-pitch session. DeGrom (6-2, 0.54) left his Wednesday start after three innings because of right shoulder soreness.
UP NEXT
LHP Patrick Corbin (4-5, 5.60) starts Sunday's series finale for the Nationals and RHP Taijuan Walker (6-2, 2.12) for the Mets.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) and left fielder Dominic Smith (2) celebrate after the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Washington. The Mets won 5-1. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates his two-run home run with Dominic Smith (2) during the fifth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader, Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Washington. This is a makeup of a postponed game from April 1. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor reacts after hitting a single in the third inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Washington. This is a makeup of a postponed game from April 1. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor runs to first with a single during the third inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Washington. This is a makeup of a postponed game from April 1. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor, center, celebrates his two-run home run with David Peterson (23) during the fifth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader, Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Washington. At right is Washington Nationals catcher Alex Avila. This is a makeup of a postponed game from April 1. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) and second baseman Luis Guillorme (13) celebrate after the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Washington. The Mets won 5-1. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates his two-run home run with David Peterson (23) during the fifth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Washington. This is a makeup of a postponed game from April 1. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor, center, celebrates his two-run home run with David Peterson (23) during the fifth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader, Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Washington. At right is Washington Nationals catcher Alex Avila. This is a makeup of a postponed game from April 1. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
New York Mets starting pitcher David Peterson (23) delivers during the fourth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
New York Mets relief pitcher Trevor May, left, and catcher Tomas Nido, right, hug after the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Washington. The Mets won 5-1. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, left, chats with second base umpire Chad Fairchild, right, during a pause in the fourth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Washington. This is a makeup of a postponed game from April 1. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
New York Mets' Luis Guillorme, right, is tagged out on a steal attempt by Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner, left, during the sixth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader, Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Washington. The Mets won 5-1. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
New York Mets relief pitcher Trevor May (65) delivers a pitch during the seventh inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Washington. The Mets won 5-1. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman (11) is out at first as New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) fields the throw during the sixth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader, Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Washington. The Mets won 5-1. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
