Mets sweep Nationals with 10-0 victory on strong fourth inning

On Wednesday night, the New York Mets achieved a commanding 10-0 victory over the Washington Nationals, completing a three-game sweep. Jose Quintana was instrumental in this win, extending his scoreless streak to a career-high 22 2/3 innings. He allowed only two hits and struck out four batters over seven innings, showcasing his dominance against the Nationals throughout the season. This performance marked his third consecutive start without allowing a run against them, totaling 21 scoreless innings. Brandon Nimmo's three-run homer highlighted a nine-run fourth inning, which was the Mets' largest inning since September 2020. Luisangel Acuña, Mark Vientos, and Starling Marte also contributed significantly, each driving in two runs. The Mets' offensive explosion came against DJ Herz and Jacob Barnes, who struggled on the mound, with Herz allowing seven runs in just over three innings. The victory improved the Mets' record to 84-68, placing them 16 games above .500 and keeping them in contention for a playoff spot. They are currently tied with Arizona for the second NL wild card, two games ahead of Atlanta. This win follows a previous 10-1 victory over the Nationals, indicating a strong performance from the Mets in this series. In terms of player updates, the Nationals were without Luis García Jr. due to a wrist injury, while the Mets dealt with injuries to key players like Francisco Lindor and rookie Christian Scott, who is set for Tommy John surgery. The Mets are looking to maintain their momentum as they prepare for a crucial series against the Philadelphia Phillies.