NEW YORK (AP) — Daylen Lile hit an inside-the-park homer in the 11th inning that sent the Washington Nationals past the New York Mets 5-3 on Saturday.
With a runner on first base and one out, Lile drove a 2-2 sinker from Tyler Rogers (4-6) off the center-field wall. The ball caromed far away from Cedric Mullins as the speedy Lile circled the bases and scored easily with a headfirst slide at home plate.
PJ Poulin retired the side in order in the bottom half for his first career save, throwing a called third strike past Juan Soto to end it.
It was a costly defeat for the Mets, who began the day with a two-game lead over Cincinnati for the final National League wild card. New York has lost 10 of 14 overall.
The victory snapped a six-game skid for the last-place Nationals and ensured they won’t lose 100 games this season.
New York was held scoreless for seven innings by three Washington pitchers, before pinch-hitter Mark Vientos delivered a two-run double in the eighth and Soto tied it 3-all with an RBI single in the ninth.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
Charles O’brien, The Associated Press
