Nationals Hold Off Mets 7-6 as Dylan Crews, CJ Abrams Power Washington Offense
The Washington Nationals continued their strong finish to the 2026 season Friday night, defeating the New York Mets 7-6 at Nationals Park in a back-and-forth NL East matchup. Washington collected 11 hits and built enough offense early before Dylan Crews delivered what proved to be the decisive run with a seventh-inning home run. The Nationals improved to 76-84 and have now won nine of their last 12 games.
Washington also guaranteed itself a fourth-place finish in the NL East with the victory. While the Nationals will miss the postseason, their late-season surge has provided some encouraging performances from several important young players, particularly Crews and CJ Abrams. Friday’s victory was another example of Washington’s young lineup producing enough offense to overcome a difficult night for the pitching staff.
Nationals Answer Immediately
New York struck first in the opening inning. Juan Soto scored when Mark Vientos doubled to left field, giving the Mets an early 1-0 advantage. Washington responded immediately in the bottom half, with Abrams delivering a two-run single that brought Crews and James Wood home and put the Nationals ahead 2-1.
The Mets came back with two runs in the third to regain the lead, but Washington’s offense produced its biggest inning of the night in the bottom half. The Nationals scored four times in the third, turning a 3-2 deficit into a 6-3 advantage. New York’s pitching problems played a major role in the inning, with the Mets throwing four wild pitches during Washington’s four-run rally.
That three-run cushion would prove important because New York was far from finished.
Mets Keep Coming Back
The Mets scored twice in the fifth inning to trim Washington’s lead to 6-5. Bo Bichette was one of New York’s biggest offensive threats, finishing with two hits and two RBIs while homering in the game. Soto also finished with two hits, two runs scored and a walk against his former organization.
Washington starter Andrew Alvarez lasted 4 2/3 innings but managed to record seven strikeouts. Although the Mets repeatedly created scoring opportunities, Washington’s bullpen managed to prevent New York from completely erasing the early deficit.
Gus Varland ultimately earned the victory after working 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief. Varland improved to 2-2, while Jonathan Pintaro took the loss for New York and fell to 2-3.
Crews Delivers the Biggest Swing
With Washington still holding a narrow 6-5 advantage, Crews stepped to the plate in the bottom of the seventh and provided the insurance run the Nationals desperately needed.
Crews launched a solo home run, extending Washington’s advantage to 7-5. It was his 12th homer of the season, and considering what happened one inning later, it became the game-winning run. MLB highlighted Crews’ homer as the decisive blow in Washington’s victory.
Crews’ development remains one of the most important storylines for Washington as the organization evaluates its young core. A late-season stretch in which players such as Crews, Abrams and Wood contribute in meaningful situations gives the Nationals something tangible to build upon entering the offseason.
Mets Make One Final Push
New York again pulled within one run in the eighth. Carson Benge homered as part of his two-hit performance, bringing the Mets within 7-6 and putting pressure on Washington’s bullpen entering the final inning.
Benge’s performance also carried historical significance. He became the first Mets rookie to produce a 20-homer, 20-stolen-base season, according to the Associated Press game report.
That set up a dramatic ninth inning and an unusual closing assignment for Washington.
Gray Earns First Major League Save
Josiah Gray entered for the ninth with the Nationals protecting a one-run lead. It was Gray’s first appearance at Nationals Park since April 4, 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery and making his return to the majors last week.
Gray issued a two-out walk to Soto but did not allow the Mets to complete the comeback. He worked through the inning without allowing a hit or a run and secured the first save of his major league career. Gray needed 18 pitches, including 10 strikes, to finish the victory.
Seeing Gray back on the Nationals Park mound was arguably as significant as the result itself. The 2023 All-Star has endured a long rehabilitation process, and getting meaningful major league innings before the offseason gives Washington another piece to evaluate heading toward 2027.
Washington’s Offense Comes Through
The Nationals finished with 11 hits compared with nine for New York. Washington hit .344 as a team, reached base at a .421 clip and stole three bases. The Nationals also played clean defense without committing an error.
Abrams’ early two-run hit, the four-run third inning and Crews’ seventh-inning homer ultimately provided enough offense. Washington never scored after Crews’ home run, forcing the bullpen to protect the narrow advantage over the final two innings.
The Nationals also struck out 12 Mets hitters. Alvarez’s seven strikeouts provided most of that total before Washington’s bullpen finished the job.
Nationals Continue Strong September Finish
Washington’s record does not tell the entire story of its final weeks. The Nationals have won nine of their last 12 games and have secured fourth place in the division. At 76-84, Washington has an opportunity to finish the season with additional momentum before turning its attention toward another important offseason.
The result carried a very different consequence for New York. The Mets dropped to 73-87 and were assured of finishing last in the NL East for the first time since the 2002 season.
The series continues Saturday with the game moved to a 12:35 p.m. start because of rain in the forecast. Jonah Tong is scheduled to start for New York, while left-hander Connelly Early is expected to return from the injured list and start for Washington.
MSB Take
The Nationals are finishing a disappointing season in about the best way they can — by winning games and getting meaningful contributions from players who could be important parts of their future. Crews supplied the biggest swing Friday, Abrams helped ignite the offense and Gray’s return to Nationals Park ended with the first save of his career.
Washington still has considerable work ahead before it can realistically return to contention, but winning nine of 12 while young players produce is a much better way to enter the offseason than simply playing out the schedule. The Nationals showed some resilience against the Mets, repeatedly answering New York’s rallies before surviving a tense ninth inning. Crews’ home run ultimately made the difference, giving Washington another encouraging moment as the 2026 season approaches its conclusion.
