Mets' David Peterson has rough return to rotation, Sean Manaea implodes in Nationals' rout
Mets pitcher Sean Manaea reacts in the dugout after he was removed from a game against the Washington Nationals in the seventh inning at Citi Field on Wednesday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
The Mets’ offensive turnaround appears to have been short-lived.
One night after scoring eight runs, the Mets lost to the Nationals, 14-2, at Citi Field Wednesday.
David Peterson (0-4) was not sharp in his return to the rotation. The lefthander allowed seven runs and five hits in 3 2⁄3 innings. He struck out five, walked three and was pulled during a seven-run fourth inning. Washington’s Brady House capped that inning with his first career grand slam.
Sean Manaea, who gave up the grand slam, allowed six runs and seven hits in 2 2⁄3 innings. He walked two and struck out four.
Peterson’s ERA is now 6.53, while Manaea’s is 6.55.
Curtis Mead homered late and had four of Washington’s 15 hits as the Nationals set a season high for runs.
James Wood drove in three runs and scored three more. CJ Abrams had three hits and two RBIs.
Cade Cavalli (1-1) threw six solid innings and struck out 10, equaling his career high. The last 24 of his 97 pitches were strikes — the longest streak in the majors this season.
The righthander became the first Nationals pitcher with at least 10 strikeouts in consecutive starts since Max Scherzer in July 2020.
Juan Soto homered against his first big league team for the second consecutive night and finished with three hits.
The Mets (10-20) lost for the 16th time in 19 games, allowed their most runs this year and were booed again by a sparse crowd.
