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The Mets rallied for six eighth-inning runs, including a pinch-hit double by Chris Carter in his Mets debut, for an 8-6 come-from-behind victory over the Washington Nationals.
Carter, just recalled from AAA Buffalo in place of Frank Catalanotto, lined a double over first base for his first Mets hit to give New York a 7-6 lead. Nationals’ reliever Miguel Batista later walked in the Mets eighth run.
Mets’ starter Jonathon Niese got into trouble in the first inning by walking Cristian Guzman and then yielding a single to Ryan Zimmerman for the 7,677th New York Mets game without a no-hitter. Adam Dunn then tagged him for a three-run homer to give the Nationals a 3-0 lead.
Niese wound up hanging around for 4 1/3 innings in a shaky outing, giving up six runs on six hits and five walks in a no decision.
Jeff Francoeur drove in the Mets first two runs with a single to left center in the second and a sacrifice fly in the sixth.
Jason Bay (3-for-4) started the rally with a single, and David Wright (3-for-4) followed with his second double of the night. Ike Davis then reached first on a throwing error by Ian Desmond, which allowed Bay to score.
After Francoeur struck out, Rod Barajas doubled (just missing a homer) to score Wright and Davis.
Alex Cora moved Barajas to third on a perfect bunt single down the third base line, and Angel Pagan drove him home with a single before Carter scored Cora with his clutch double.
Miguel Batista intentionally walked Jose Reyes and then unintentionally walked Bay with the bases loaded to make it 8-6.
Davis then missed a grand slam by just a couple of feel, hitting a blast just right of the right-field foul pole. The play got reviewed but not overturned, and then Davis flied out to end the inning.
But Davis ended the game with another spectacular catch into the Mets’ dugout to secure the win and perfect save for Francisco Rodriguez.
The teams face each other tomorrow afternoon, with Mike Pelfrey going up against Craig Stammen.
