WASHINGTON D.C. - Gotta love the way Mets have responded to some intense heat being applied for the top spot in the NL East.
I get it...it's June and division titles aren't determined in June. But, foundations for runs at one certainly are. The lapse that saw the Mets tumbled from a 5 1/2-game lead to a virtual deadlock with the Braves has been countered by a tour de force in the nation's capital.
Home runs from Michael Conforto, Robinson Cano and Jeff McNeil highlighted a 16-hit assault as the Mets clubbed the Nationals, 13-4. The win was the third straight against Washington and seventh in the clubs' nine meetings.
A five-run third, marked by Conforto's 15th homer, staked the Mets to a 6-0 lead and Cano added a two-run shot an inning later as the gap widened to 8-0. The offensive output was coupled by yet another display of grit from Steven Matz.
As the Mets pounded Stephen Strasberg for seven hits and five runs over 2 2/3 innings, Matz, working on short rest and answering the call in light of Marcus Stroman facing a setback in his recovery, went five, conceding five hits and two runs to raise his mark to 3-6.
We shopped Matz around about a month ago to take the temperature on interest but he's risen to the challenge during that span, staying healthy and consistent in the rotation, now giving pause to the idea of moving him.
Can't say enough about Amed Rosario. Lifted to the leadoff spot, he's hitting .293 after a 3-for-6 showing that included three runs scored. McNeill is hitting .318, Cano .283 and Yoenis Cespedes a blazing .333. The offense has amassed 38 hits in the first three games of the series.
