NEW YORK — Josiah Gray pitched six overpowering innings and batterymate Keibert Ruiz homered to assist the Washington Nationals beat the listless New York Mets 5-0 on Tuesday evening.
Luis García had a two-run double and Joey Meneses added a pair of RBI singles amongst his three hits. Ruiz additionally completed with three hits because the rebuilding Nationals received the primary assembly this season between the NL East foes.
Finally given some offensive assist in his fifth begin of the yr, Gray (1-4) struck out 9 and walked one whereas permitting 4 hits in a return near residence. The right-hander grew up in New Rochelle, simply north of New York City.
Ruiz’s solo homer to right-center off José Butto (0-1) within the second marked the primary run Washington scored with Gray on the mound this season.
Gray and Ruiz have been each top-rated prospects once they have been acquired from the Dodgers within the July 2021 blockbuster commerce that despatched Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to Los Angeles.
Butto was recalled by the Mets from Triple-A Syracuse to pitch in Scherzer’s spot Tuesday. The three-time Cy Young Award winner was suspended for 10 video games by Major League Baseball final week following his ejection for having a international substance on his hand whereas pitching in a sport at Dodger Stadium.
Making his third massive league begin, Butto walked six in 4 2/3 innings. He gave up two runs and 4 hits.
Mason Thompson accomplished a five-hitter for the Nationals’ first shutout this season and third victory in 4 video games. He labored three fast innings for his second main league save and first this yr.
Back from a 7-3 West Coast journey, New York dropped its third straight within the opener of a seven-game homestand in opposition to two division rivals. The Mets have been blanked for the fourth time this yr.
WELCOME BACK
Just earlier than the sport, the Mets performed a video tribute to Nationals first baseman Dominic Smith, who spent 2017-22 with New York after the membership chosen him within the first spherical of the 2013 novice draft. Smith saved a run with a superb defensive play within the fifth when he got here off the bag to corral an errant throw.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Nationals: LHP Sean Doolittle (elbow) threw reside batting apply in Florida with a purpose of about 20 pitches and felt “really good,” supervisor Dave Martinez mentioned. … The group hopes OF Corey Dickerson (strained left calf) can start operating by subsequent week. … INF Ildemaro Vargas (proper shoulder pressure) is getting near a rehab project. He is doing all baseball actions however nonetheless feels “a little bit of a pinch swinging right-handed,” Martinez mentioned.
Mets: RHP Justin Verlander stays scheduled for a minor league rehab begin Friday, although supervisor Buck Showalter declined to disclose the place. If all goes effectively, Verlander would then possible make his Mets debut subsequent week at Detroit, his authentic group. The three-time Cy Young Award winner went on the injured checklist simply earlier than opening day with a teres main pressure in his higher again. … To open a roster spot for Butto, the Mets positioned RHP Edwin Uceta on the 15-day injured checklist, retroactive to April 23, with a sprained left ankle.
UP NEXT
Japanese rookie Kodai Senga (3-0, 4.29 ERA) begins for the Mets within the center sport of the sequence Wednesday evening in opposition to LHP MacKenzie Gore (2-1, 3.43).
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