WASHINGTON (AP) — Luis Torrens hit two homers in a game for the second time in his career and Francisco Lindor added a solo shot as the New York Mets completed a three-game sweep of the Washington Nationals 9-1 on Wednesday.
The Mets batted around in the sixth inning, sending 10 men to the plate, scoring six times on seven hits, including two home runs and two doubles. They now head to London with their first three game sweep since April 17 against the Pirates, winning five of their last seven.
“It’s important to continue to win series, this three games here, get some momentum,” said Mets manager Carlos Mendoza. “Going to a big event in London and Major League Baseball, obviously. Two important games against the Phillies, a really good team. For us to come here and get the sweep there is some good momentum going.”
Torrens launched his first homer of the season, a 398-foot shot to right-center field off Nationals starter Patrick Corbin (1-7) in the third to put the Mets in the lead, 1-0. It was Torrens’ first homer since Oct. 5, 2022, with the Mariners against Detroit.
“I felt super good,” Torrens said. “I was excited for sure. It was a good feeling. The most important thing we got the win and we can celebrate. I think I have a good approach against (Corbin) and it works today. It was a good result.”
The veteran catcher’s second home run came in the sixth inning on a 1-2 Corbin sinker that traveled 404 feet. Lindor followed with 428-foot homer, his 10th of the season. It was the second time the Mets hit back-to-back home runs since May 24 against the Giants.
Torrens last hit two home runs in a game for Seattle at the White Sox on June 25, 2021. Torrens is the first Mets player to hit two or more homers in a game since Brett Baty on May 3 at Tampa Bay.
“Two homers, going the other way and then dead center,” Mendoza said. “The throw to second base (to catch Jesse Winker stealing), called a really good game. I thought the offense did a hell of a job. One through nine. I thought early on we hit some balls right at people.”
Lindor finished the series with five hits and two RBIs, reaching base seven times.
Luis Severino (4-2) has won two in a row, equaling a season high with eight innings on 92 pitches, allowing one run on seven hits, with no walks. He carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning April 29 against the Cubs and has not allowed more than one run in two of his last three starts.
“He was really good,” Mendoza said. “The life on his pitches, especially the fastball obviously. Cutter, sinker and the four seam. They were aggressive early in counts. He was able to get quick outs, induce weak contact, complete control from Severino.”
Severino was unfazed by the one-hour 25-minute rain delay and quickly retired the first eight batters he faced.
“We were attacking the zone,” Severino said. “Didn’t get any walks. So just pounding the zone was the main thing today. I’m not a guy who has to follow like a routine and something happens that’s going to mess my night up. I’m a guy who, whatever happens, I’ll be ready when the game starts.”
Corbin has given up eight home runs in four starts since May 21, and has surrendered two or more homers in a start four times this season. He lasted 5 1/3 innings, allowing six runs on seven hits with one walk and three strikeouts on 77 pitches.
“Couple heaters on the corner, but elevated,” Corbin said of the three homers. “Maybe not the best sinker today. They put some good swings on some of those pitches.”
The Nationals are 8-16 since May 11, scoring 3.5 runs a game during the tailspin.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mets: Catcher Francisco Alvarez (left thumb strain) caught a multiplayer nine inning no-hitter Tuesday night for High-A Brooklyn. Alvarez will DH Wednesday night, have a day off Thursday and catch nine innings for Triple-A Syracuse Friday and Saturday, then DH Sunday. … RHP Edwin Diaz (right shoulder impingement) threw a bullpen Tuesday and is scheduled to throw an inning for Brooklyn on Thursday. … Either Baty and C Joe Hudson will be the 27th man on the roster for the London series, Mendoza confirmed.
Nationals: Manager Dave Martinez is hoping RHP Josiah Gray (right forearm flexor strain) will go on a rehab assignment soon, preferably close at their Low-A Fredericksburg affiliate. They are looking to get Gray 60 pitches in four innings.
UP NEXT
The Mets travel to London for a two-game series against Philadelphia on Saturday with left-hander Sean Manaea (3-2, 3.63 ERA).
The Nationals begin a four-game homestand against the Atlanta Braves starting with left-hander Mitchell Parker (4-3, 3.60).
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