NEW YORK (AP) — After wrapping up a 101-win season with an easy romp, the New York Mets know their next challenge will be much tougher.
Francisco Lindor and the Mets geared up for the playoffs with a 9-2 rout of the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, completing a fantastic regular season with the second-most victories in franchise history.
Up next is a best-of-three wild-card series at home against San Diego beginning Friday night. Max Scherzer is scheduled to start the opener for New York versus Yu Darvish.
“Friday’s going to be kind of a different beast. It’s going to be loud, it’s going to be rocking,” Jeff McNeil said. “We’ve got to be ready to play. It’s going to be a lot of fun, and looking forward to it.”
New York went 2-4 this year versus the Padres, who won two of three at Citi Field in July.
“We’re taking momentum into this weekend,” winning pitcher Trevor Williams said.
McNeil won the major league batting crown without taking a swing, and New York (101-61) finished with the same record as the Atlanta Braves atop the NL East. The defending World Series champions clinched the division title Tuesday because they held the season-series tiebreaker after going 10-9 against the Mets.
The only Mets team to win more regular-season games was the 1986 World Series champions at 108-54.
Lindor hit a three-run double to make it 6-0 in the second inning. He left the field to a warm ovation from fans in the eighth.
“He’s been a rock,” manager Buck Showalter said.
Mark Canha launched a three-run homer in the first, and slumping James McCann had three hits, including a three-run homer in the third, as the Mets completed a three-game sweep before heading into the postseason.
“Now, this is the best time of the year,” Lindor said. “I want to give them a lot to cheer.”
Even speedy Terrance Gore got in on the fun with a single for his first major league hit since July 4, 2019, with Kansas City. He’s won two World Series rings since then as a pinch-runner deluxe with the Dodgers and Braves.
Williams (3-5) entered in relief to start the second and allowed two runs in six solid innings with six strikeouts and no walks.
After the first pitch was delayed nearly two hours by rain, Washington starter Erick Fedde (6-13) gave up nine hits and a career-high nine runs in 2 1/3 innings.
“It felt like it happened pretty quick,” Fedde said. “I’m bummed that I didn’t execute pitches a little better and get some outs, and especially eat some innings today after a long day yesterday. Not a lot went right today.”
Alex Call hit a two-run homer for Washington, and catcher Israel Pineda singled for his first major league hit.
It was a fitting finish for the rebuilding Nationals, who had the worst record in the majors at 55-107 and will get the No. 1 pick in the amateur draft next year. They were 65-97 last season.
“Our season’s over right now, for the players. But the work is just beginning for myself, (general manager Mike Rizzo) and the front office,” manager Dave Martinez said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do. I’m looking forward to this winter, getting things done, and then getting ready for spring training.”
