WASHINGTON — The elation of a late-inning comeback had completely dissipated from the Mets by the time Trea Turner took a few steps toward first base from the batter’s box in Sunday’s ninth inning.
First, the Mets had rallied for three runs in the eighth inning against a beleaguered Nationals bullpen. The Mets were thinking season-opening sweep.
But Turner ended that dream with a shot into the left-field seats on a fastball from Justin Wilson, sending the Mets to a 6-5 loss at Nationals Park that was somewhat palatable.
There aren’t moral victories in baseball, except maybe on the last day of March when you already have a series win against a division foe.
“We are a resilient bunch and I think we fought until the very end,” Pete Alonso said after reaching base three times to complete an initial weekend in the major leagues in which he was a nuisance to the opposition. “We did a real good job of coming back and stringing some real good at-bats together. That shows a lot of fight and that is a real good characteristic to have in a team.”
Five singles in the eighth inning against three different relievers allowed the Mets to score three runs and tie it. The only thing left was to take the lead, but the Mets never got that hit from Dominic Smith.
As it was, Amed Rosario, Wilson Ramos and Juan Lagares each had an RBI single in the inning. The last two of those hits came against Nationals closer Sean Doolittle.
Lefty Tony Sipp allowed singles to Robinson Cano and Michael Conforto to begin the rally. The Mets lived to fight for another inning, but Turner — who had hit a three-run blast in the third inning against Zack Wheeler — wasn’t about to allow additional chances.
“What a series by our guys,” manager Mickey Callaway said. “To come back and make that a tie game off Doolittle and the way they did it was tremendous. Great series win. The fans need to be proud, they have got something special to come and watch, that is for sure.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the way they came back today and showing those guys, ‘We’re not going to lay down.’ It doesn’t matter who you have got pitching the eighth, ninth. You have to bring your closer in for five outs and you’re still not going to get it done. That’s pretty special. That was a great series for us.”
Wilson had worked a perfect eighth for the Mets and retired Adam Eaton leading off the ninth. Then came a 94 mph fastball to Turner on a full-count that disappeared into the seats.
“I pulled it down-and-in when it was supposed to be away,” Wilson said. “Good job of hitting by him.”
Wheeler was removed after five innings in which he allowed four earned runs on six hits and one walk with seven strikeouts. It was hardly what the Mets came to expect from the right-hander after the All-Star break last season, when he led the major leagues with a 1.68 ERA in the second half.
Turner’s three-run blast in the third inning was Wheeler’s only real regret Sunday. The Nationals shortstop crushed the first pitch of his at-bat, a 98 mph fastball.
“I think I just got a little fastball happy that inning,” Wheeler said.
Lefty Patrick Corbin, in his first start for the Nationals since arriving on a six-year, $140 million contract, frustrated the Mets by allowing two earned runs on seven hits over six innings with two walks.
Robert Gsellman replaced Wheeler in the sixth and allowed an RBI double that put the Mets in a 5-2 hole. Andrew Stevenson was drilled by Gsellman with two outs, after Yan Gomes had doubled. Victor Robles chased Stevenson home with a double of his own.
Brain Dozier turned a backhand glove-flip double play in the top of the sixth that helped prevent a potential big inning. On the play J.D. Davis scored to pull the Mets within 4-2, but a threat was destroyed. Davis had opened the inning with a double and Conforto singled him to third.
“The way we lost that game put something in [the Nationals’] minds,” Callaway said. “They have doubt that no matter what the score is, they know we’re not going to lay down so I am really proud of the guys.”