Bo Bichette’s two-run single provided the offense, David Peterson pitched five solid innings and the New York Mets held on to beat the Nationals 2-1 on Thursday in Washington to earn a split of the four-game series.
Peterson (3-4), who entered his last two appearances after an opener, started and allowed a run on four hits. The left-hander struck out three and walked three while improving to 8-2 in his career against the Nationals.
Right-hander Devin Williams pitched out of trouble in the ninth to earn his seventh save.
Mets center fielder A.J. Ewing broke back on Daylen Lile’s fly ball leading off the ninth and Lile ended up with a double. Luis Garcia Jr. grounded out on a slow roller, moving Lile to third. Williams struck out Jose Tena and retired Keibert Ruiz on a grounder to end it.
Juan Soto, who began his nine-year career in Washington (2018-22) recorded his 100th career stolen base.
Lile had two hits of Washington’s five hits.
Washington starter Cade Cavalli (2-3) tied a career high by going seven innings. The right-hander allowed two runs on four hits and struck out nine with one walk.
With one out in the top of the third, MJ Melendez was hit by a pitch, and Luis Torrens and Carson Benge singled to load the bases. Bichette then grounded a single up the middle, scoring Melendez and Torrens to give the Mets a 2-0 lead.
The Nationals got one back in the fifth. Ruiz led off with a single and James Wood doubled him to third. Peterson fought back from 3-0 to strike out Curtis Mead. Andres Chaparro grounded out with Ruiz scoring, and first baseman Mark Vientos made a lunging stop on CJ Abrams’ grounder to end the inning.
Nationals reliever Clayton Beeter, reinstated from the 15-day injured list on Thursday, tossed a scoreless eighth inning.
Orlando Ribalta pitched out of a bases-loaded, no-outs jam in the ninth. Brett Baty singled and Marcus Semien reached on an infield single. Ewing bunted to sacrifice, but second baseman Nasim Nunez dropped the throw covering first. But Melendez struck out, Torrens lined out to second and Benge flied out.
