NEW YORK — The Mets’ 12th doubleheader of the season coincided with a real feel of 103 degrees and an excessive heat warning in New York City. Fans sitting in the sun-drenched seats at Citi Field were equipped with water bottles, towels draped over their heads, and DIY paper fans.
As overpowering and uncomfortable as the heat was on Thursday, the Mets crowded the basepaths behind Marcus Stroman’s effective start and beat the Nationals, 4-1, in Game 1 of the doubleheader. Edwin Diaz collected his 25th save of the year.
Brandon Nimmo drove in all four of the Mets’ runs, matching his career high of four RBIs in a game. He crushed his third home run of the year in the second inning, a three-run shot to right field that set an early tone for the lineup. The Mets offense recorded 12 hits against the Nationals pitching staff for double-digit hits in back-to-back games.
“He’s been swinging the bat like that the whole season now,” said Mets manager Luis Rojas of Nimmo, who has a .832 OPS in 55 games this year. “He’s been clutch for us.”
Stroman struck out eight batters and lowered his ERA to 2.79 after his 23rd start of the season. He was cruising on Thursday and allowed just one hit until the sixth inning against a Nationals team that no longer features Trea Turner or Kyle Schwarber in the lineup. At one point in the fourth inning though, Stroman briefly stepped off the mound and hunched over as the game was paused. Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner fetched him water and Stroman returned to work moments after.
He felt dizzy and light-headed after he fielded a bunt off the bat of Juan Soto that inning, Stroman said. He added he needed a second to catch his breath and “get back to seeing straight.”
“It was definitely hot out there, for sure,” Stroman said. “I’m not someone who hydrates very well. I’m still trying to learn to do better, as far as game day. I’m great as far as my five-day (routine), but when (my start) comes, I get so nervous. It’s hard for me to put anything in my system on game day.”
“He’s known to sweat profusely,” Rojas added of Stroman.
Mets fans were on their feet for Stroman when he departed after 5 1/3 innings — his final out a whiff against Alcides Escobar on a filthy change-up — having allowed one run on three hits in the afternoon. Rojas said the offense needs to continue scoring runs for Stroman, indicating his 8-11 record is disproportionate to the sub-3.00 ERA he’s recorded for the Mets this season.
