WASHINGTON — “OMG” about sums up Jose Iglesias’ at-bats in extra innings the last two nights.
The veteran infielder has turned into Mr. Clutch for the Mets and provided a spark that his counterpart at second base, Jeff McNeil, has largely lacked.
It was Iglesias’ RBI double in the 10th inning Tuesday — a night after blasting a two-run homer in the same frame — that sent the Mets rolling to a 7-2 victory over the Nationals.
The Mets (42-41) won their second straight, needing extra innings for a third straight day to decide the outcome.
After Iglesias’ double broke the tie, Brandon Nimmo and Mark Vientos each drove in runs against Robert Garcia before Pete Alonso smashed a two-run homer.
“It’s been a special month,” said Iglesias, who arrived May 31 and has helped lead a surge in which the team is 19-8. “On and off the field, the energy, the team is winning, we’re playing good baseball. I’m just very happy to be a part of it and contribute to another win today.”
Iglesias, who last week released his new song “OMG” — and performed it following a game at Citi Field — owns a .974 OPS since arriving to the Mets and continues to thrive in the biggest situations.
Included is Iglesias’ 8-for-12 (.750) with runners in scoring position.
“He doesn’t fit the computer models — the computer doesn’t like him,” J.D. Martinez said. “But when you are with him, he’s a gamer, he’s just a good ballplayer. He knows how to put the ball in play. He’s good defensively and plays the game the right way and that’s on the field. Off the field, the energy that he brings, he is good camaraderie for the clubhouse.”
Iglesias’ homer Monday followed a Martinez three-run blast that put the Mets ahead.
The Mets needed it in a 9-7 victory. Over the last two games, the Mets have combined to score 11 runs in the 10th inning.
“That says a lot about the team,” Iglesias said. “The guys stay connected. The game is not over until it’s over.”
Jose Butto, recalled from Triple-A Syracuse before the game to provide bullpen help, pitched two scoreless innings in relief before Dedniel Nunez recorded the final three outs.
The victory was the Mets’ fifth straight against the Nationals with two games remaining in this series.
Sean Manaea lasted seven innings in his longest start of the season and allowed two runs, one of which was unearned, on five hits with five strikeouts and two walks. The lefty hadn’t completed even six innings in a start since May 13 against the Phillies.
C.J. Abrams’ infield RBI single in the third gave the Nationals a 1-0 lead. Nick Senzel led off with an infield single — a grounder on which Vientos moved backward before fielding — before Jacob Young smashed a double.
On Young’s shot to right-center, Harrison Bader collided with the fence and he was removed from the game the following inning with neck discomfort. Abrams’ RBI single followed Young’s double.
The Nationals appeared to score a second run in the inning on a Manaea wild pitch, but the Mets won a replay challenge that indicated Joey Meneses was hit in the foot by the pitch. Young was sent back to third and Manaea retired Ildemaro Vargas with the bases loaded to escape.
Alonso’s fielding error in the fifth helped the Nationals score an unearned run to go ahead 2-0.
After Young walked leading off the inning, Alonso misplayed Lane Thomas’ grounder and Harold Ramirez’s RBI fielder’s choice scored Young from third.
Francisco Lindor’s homer leading off the sixth sliced the Mets’ deficit to 2-1. The homer was Lindor’s 14th this season and fourth batting right-handed.
Alonso’s two-out single knocked out DJ Herz before Francisco Alvarez struck out against Dylan Floro to end the inning.
Nimmo’s RBI single in the eighth against Hunter Harvey tied it 2-2. Nimmo, who missed a second straight start after fainting in the bathroom of his hotel room the previous day and cutting his forehead, had entered the game when Bader departed.
“I was just glad to come through in those situations for the guys,” Nimmo said, referring also to his 10th inning RBI double. “It’s fun playing right now.”
