NEW YORK _ Juan Soto unloaded and drove a ball above the second deck in right field. The shot, which traveled 466 feet, provided Washington a three-run lead in the first inning.
Not an encouraging start for the Mets, who had lost two in a row before this. Plus: Robert Gsellman, starting for the first time in almost three years, was not yet stretched out to be a starter, meaning the Mets faced a potential bullpen game.
When Soto rudely welcomed Gsellman back to the starting rotation, you might have wondered if it would begin a blowout.
It did not.
The difference on Wednesday: The Mets (8-11) punched back. They were resilient.
In response to Soto's homer, the Mets put together their best early outburst of the season. They scored four runs in the bottom half of the first to power an 11-6 victory over the Nationals at Citi Field.
Prior to Wednesday, the Mets had only scored two first-inning runs all season, matching their lowest scoring total in any regulation inning (tied with the ninth). Instead of shriveling because of an early deficit, the Mets bounced back.
This was not a fluke, either. The Mets took quality at-bats, passed the baton to the next man, stayed with their approach. New York, which has struggled hitting with runners in scoring position, excelled at it in the first inning.
This Mets lineup is talented enough to be feared and respected. The club felt it would be a strength.
After Brandon Nimmo led off the first inning with a home run off Anibal Sanchez, his teammates eventually scored three two-out runs to take the lead. In this stretch, the Mets showed they don't need much to spark their offense.
With two outs, Sanchez hit Michael Conforto. Pete Alonso, who has struggled this season, doubled to right-center field _ a good sign for him, as he used the whole field instead of trying to pull the ball _ and Conforto scored. The next batter, Dominic Smith, doubled home Alonso. Andres Gimenez, who has exceeded expectations at the plate, drove in his second big league run with a single.
The Mets, who trailed by three runs about 10 minutes into the game, now led, 4-3.
They had taken back control.
Before Wednesday, Sanchez allowed four runs over five innings in one start, five runs over 5 1/3 frames in his second.
The Mets tagged him for five runs over 2 2/3 innings. The right-hander dragged a 9.69 ERA on his way out of here.
Because Gsellman is not yet stretched out as a starting pitcher, the Mets were going to need to use multiple arms behind him. They knew that.
It's a difficult situation because it often means there is little room for error on that night. Everything else must go well.
But one of the reasons Gsellman is even receiving a rotation spot _ on a permanent basis, no less _ is because the Mets feel their bullpen is deep enough without him.
The unit, once again, shined. It has really improved since a tough first week of the season.
On Wednesday, Chasen Shreve followed Gsellman's two innings (in which he allowed three runs) with a scoreless frame. Jeurys Familia then struck out four batters in two scoreless innings.
Justin Wilson allowed a home run to Soto _ the left fielder's second of the night _ but nothing else. The homer eventually did not matter because the Mets' offense exploded again.
Dellin Betances struck out the side in the seventh, easily his best inning of work this season. Before it, he hadn't struck out more than a batter in his outings.
Entering Wednesday, the Mets' bullpen had a 5.11 ERA that ranked No. 24 in the majors.
But since Aug. 1, the unit holds a 3.28 ERA that is tied for 10th.
Even through the early struggles, the Mets maintained that their bullpen is talented and deep. They like how it features multiple guys who can pitch late in games.
It's beginning to come around.
Soto had just homered off Wilson, trimming New York's lead to a run. The Mets had not scored since the third inning, but it became clear they would need to finish strong. They could not solely rely on their first-inning offense.
In the bottom of the sixth, back-to-back home runs by Alonso and Smith highlighted a five-run inning.
But those would not have been possible without Luis Guillorme's walk. Or Nimmo's bunt down the third-base line against the shift. Or Conforto's two-run double.
This spurt wrapped up an encouraging offensive performance for a team that needs something, anything to get it over the hump after so many close losses this season.
Nimmo on Wednesday finished 3 for 5 with the homer as he extended his on-base streak to 33 games. Alonso went 3 for 4 with three RBI. Conforto went 2 for 3 and drove in two runs.
The Mets know they can create traffic on the bases. It's just a matter of getting those guys home.
On this night, they had no issue with that.
