|
 Right fielder Curtis Granderson's solo homer with one out in the
eighth inning snapped a scoreless tie Sunday afternoon, when seven
New York Mets pitchers combined on a two-hitter in a 1-0 win over
the Washington Nationals at Citi Field.
The victory snapped a five-game losing streak for the National
League East champion Mets (90-72), who ended a streak of six
straight losing seasons in winning the division and reaching 90 wins
for the first time since 2006.
The Mets will face the NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers in a NL
Division Series that begins Friday at Dodger Stadium.
"Ninety wins is a big step -- a huge step -- from where we've been,"
Mets manager Terry Collins said. "To see the expressions on their
faces -- they (know they) accomplished something."
Along the way, the Mets brought an energy to Citi Field that hasn't
existed since the park opened in 2009. The Mets had just two crowds
of at least 40,000 last year, but a festive crowd of 41,631 -- the
12th crowd of 40,000 or more this season -- cheered as the Mets took
a victory lap shortly after right-hander Jeurys Familiar retired
left fielder Jayson Werth on a fly to center to strand right fielder
Bryce Harper at second base.
The 66-year-old Collins, who is going to the playoffs for the first
time in 11 seasons as a major league manager, arrived at his
postgame press conference with a plastic cup of beer, which he
hoisted in a toast to reporters.
"Sat here last October and told our fanbase that their patience is
going to be rewarded, it's time for us to win," Collins said. "I
just wanted to go around and thank everybody. You can't shake
everybody's hand, but just to let them know that we knew they were
there and we appreciate their support and we promise to show them a
good time come Friday."
It didn't take long for the Mets to begin turning their focus to
Friday. Third baseman David Wright, the team captain and the only
New York player remaining from the 2006 squad that lost to the St.
Louis Cardinals in a seven-game NLCS, ended his brief remarks to the
fans with "Let's go beat L.A.!"
"We've had a lot of fun this year," said Mets right-hander Jacob
deGrom, who will start Game One. "We know there's still work to do,
though. I think most of the guys' mindsets are on that."
DeGrom was the first pitcher in an unlikely attempt Sunday by the
Mets to piece together the second no-hitter in franchise history.
The reigning National League Rookie of the Year issued two walks --
both in the second inning - and struck out seven over four innings
in his postseason tuneup.
Right-hander Bartolo Colon and right-hander Logan Verrett each threw
a perfect inning before left-hander Jonathon Niese recorded the
first two outs of the seventh Nationals first baseman Clint Robinson
then hit a hard shot up the middle that bounced off the leg of
shortstop Ruben Tejada and caromed into right field. The official
scorer immediately ruled it a hit.
The Mets, who were no-hit by Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer on
Saturday night, were trying to become only the third team in history
to no-hit an opponent the day after being no-hit.
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The Mets only got two runners as far as second base in the first
seven innings before Granderson (3-for-4) launched his 26th homer
well beyond the center-field wall off right-hander Blake Treinen
(2-5).
The homer made a winner out of right-hander Tyler Clippard (4-1) and
was only the second run scored by the Mets in the last 43 innings,
dating back to Wednesday.
"Yeah, we had a tough week, but you know what? We've got to move
ahead," Collins said. "Everybody got some work today, everybody got
some at-bats. I think we're ready."
The save was the 43rd of the season for Familia, tying a team record
set by right-hander Armando Benitez in 2001.
The Nationals, the overwhelming preseason favorite to win the NL
East, finished 83-79. Manager Matt Williams will reportedly be
fired, though general manager Mike Rizzo said prior to Sunday's game
that nothing will be decided until organization meetings begin on
Monday.
"You look back on the year and you wish you were in the postseason,"
Harper said; "That's the main goal when you start out, and it's a
bummer that we didn't get there this year."
Going 1-for-4 in a shutout loss cost Harper the batting title as
well as a shot at 100 RBIs. Harper finished with a .330 average
while Miami Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon went 3-for-4 Sunday to
surge past Harper at .333.
"I probably could've took the last two weeks off and hit .340," said
Harper, who was hitting .343 following the games of Sept. 20. "But
Dee Gordon is such a great hitter and he had over 200 hits and I tip
my cap to him."
Harper, the National League MVP frontrunner, tied Colorado Rockies
third baseman Nolan Arenado for the league lead with 42 homers and
finished tied for fifth with 99 RBIs.
NOTES: Mets RHP Steven Matz (back) is scheduled to throw long toss
Tuesday and start an instructional league game on Thursday. Matz,
who hasn't started since Sept. 24, is still a candidate to start
Game 4 of the NLDS against the Dodgers. ... Nationals INF Wilmer
Difo suffered a fractured left hand diving into first base while
beating out an infield single Saturday night.
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