Jacob deGrom returns with 5 sturdy innings, however Mets nonetheless lose to Nationals on day Washington trades its greatest star

WASHINGTON — Jacob deGrom threw the 59 most-anticipated pitches of his life on Tuesday.

Making his first MLB begin since July 7, 2021, deGrom used these 59 pitches to finish 5 environment friendly innings. He struck out six Nationals, allowed three hits and one run whereas strolling no person. Unfortunately for the Mets, Stephen Nogosek adopted him and gave up back-to-back residence runs to Luis Garcia and Yadiel Hernandez, fueling the Nationals’ 5-1 win on the identical day they traded Juan Soto.

In the grand scheme of issues, a Tuesday evening loss to Washington doesn’t imply a lot. It did snap the Mets’ season-high seven-game profitable streak, however with the commerce deadline and deGrom’s return occurring on the identical day, the long run is the main focus.

The group ought to ramp up deGrom’s pitch counts with every outing, on condition that his physique cooperates. Every bone, ligament and tendon seemed to be engaged on Tuesday, as deGrom was accountable for every of the sport’s 17 hardest-thrown pitches. His first pitch of the evening whizzed throughout the plate at 99 miles per hour, and later in that very same at-bat he touched 101. The slider appeared as tight as ever because the Nats’ swung at it 14 instances and got here up empty on half of them.

It’s exhausting to have a pattern measurement smaller than one recreation, however the Mets should be inspired by the truth that one-third of the whole swings deGrom generated led to a whiff. His biting slider sat between 91 and 94 miles per hour, and he even combined in a 94 mile per hour changeup.

The lone run the Nats mustered towards deGrom additionally got here from their lone cases of exhausting contact. The two hardest hit balls towards deGrom had been Victor Robles’ fourth-inning single and Garcia’s double that despatched Robles sprinting residence. There was lots to love about deGrom’s begin (primarily that he’s in line to make his subsequent one), however the identical can’t be stated in regards to the Mets’ offense. The bats had been utterly flummoxed by Cory Abbott, who silenced the Amazin’s for 5 shutout innings earlier than the bullpen took the final 4 frames.

The Mets’ bullpen reinforcements can’t get right here quickly sufficient. With the group anticipating to have Trevor May with them on Wednesday, and deadline procurement Mychal Givens shortly thereafter, the necessity to use guys like Nogosek and Yoan Lopez melts away. Those two served up 4 earned runs and will solely watch as three balls soared over the fence.

Ideally, the Mets can have May, Givens, Edwin Diaz, Adam Ottavino and Seth Lugo because the locked-in members of a postseason bullpen. Drew Smith ought to get a spot too as soon as he’s wholesome, and Joely Rodriguez would be the compulsory lefty. How nicely they will pitch late within the season and maybe in October is without doubt one of the larger variables hanging over this propitious season.

The greatest one, simply because it’s been since spring coaching, continues to be deGrom. After one begin, he and the Mets have gotten to be feeling fairly optimistic.

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