Mets lose first game of 2022 season after ugly eighth inning

WASHINGTON — A couple of defensive slip-ups and a questionable relief option sealed the Amazin’s first loss of the year, a 4-2 defeat to the Nationals on Sunday at Nationals Park.

The Nationals erased the Mets’ 2-1 lead in the eighth inning after right-hander Trevor Williams came in to relieve southpaw Chasen Shreve with no outs and a runner on first in a one-run game.

The goal, which was not accomplished, for Williams was to retire the bottom of the Nationals lineup before it reached Juan Soto. Instead, Williams allowed a single to his first batter, Maikel Franco, to put runners on the corners with no outs.

Then came the defensive miscues, as the ball kept finding first baseman Pete Alonso.

Nationals shortstop Lucius Fox placed a sacrifice bunt right toward the charging Alonso, who hesitated on his throw to home plate. The speedy Dee Strange-Gordan beat the throw to the dish, and the Nats tied the game.

Moments later on a Cesar Hernandez ground ball, Alonso threw the ball wide to shortstop Francisco Lindor, and instead of a turning a double play, everybody was safe.

Nelson Cruz sealed the Mets’ loss after notching a two-run single against Williams, ripping a ball to left field.

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