Benge Makes Mets History With 20-20 Rookie Season in Loss to Nationals
The short version
- Carson Benge became the first Mets rookie with a 20-20 season, hitting his 20th home run
- Mets lost 7-6 to the Nationals; a four-wild-pitch third inning included two run-scoring wild pitches
- The loss ensured the Mets finish last in the NL East
- Saturday's game in Washington was moved up to 12:35 PM EDT due to rain
- Arizona moved within a game of Philadelphia for the final NL Wild Card spot
Carson Benge became the first Mets rookie with a 20-20 season, but New York fell 7-6 in Washington and locked up last place in the NL East.
Carson Benge homered for the 20th time this season on Friday night, becoming the first rookie in New York Mets history to record a 20-20 season. The milestone came in a 7-6 loss to the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, a game defined by sloppy play on both sides.
A disastrous third inning proved decisive for the Mets. Washington scored with the help of four wild pitches, two of which forced in runs, and New York could not fully recover.
Benge reflected on reaching the mark. "Anything that can be in the history book and done for the first time is something special," he said. "I hold that close to my heart."
The defeat also confirmed that the Mets will finish the 2026 season in last place in the National League East. Manager Andy Green downplayed the significance of avoiding the cellar before the game, saying that the only real distinction is between teams that reach the playoffs and teams that do not. He added that watching other clubs celebrate playoff berths should leave a bitter taste that motivates the Mets to return.
Before the game, the Mets called up pitcher Justin Hagenman, who covered most of the game in relief, and optioned Jack Weisenburger. Right-hander Xzavion Curry cleared waivers and was outrighted to the FCL Mets.
Shortstop Francisco Lindor, nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award for the fourth consecutive year, said winning it would be among the most important honors of his career. Elsewhere in the division, Atlanta closed its week with a 3-0 loss to Miami despite Eury Perez finishing his season with a one-hit shutout and eight strikeouts.
Philadelphia's grip on the final NL Wild Card spot is slipping. The Phillies were blanked 2-0 by Freddy Peralta and Tampa Bay, while Arizona won to pull within a game of Philadelphia, holding the tiebreaker with two games remaining. The Phillies had led the Diamondbacks by five games with eight to play.
Elsewhere in baseball, weather from an approaching Nor'easter reshaped the weekend schedule. Boston beat the Cubs 4-3 in the opener of a doubleheader — moved to Tropicana Field in Tampa — to clinch the AL's No. 5 seed and a Wild Card Series date with the Yankees, who played a twinbill against Baltimore a day early. The Twins parted ways with assistant general manager Daniel Adler, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. apologized for earlier comments about his $500 million contract.
The Mets and Nationals continue their series on Saturday, September 26 at 12:35 PM EDT at Nationals Park. The game was moved up from its original 4:05 PM start because of rain in the Washington forecast. Coverage is available on ESPN Unlmtd, MLB.TV, Nationals.TV and SNY.
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