Slide Continues as Nationals End Lifeless Series Loss vs. Mets

Getting swept is never fun. But getting swept by a division rival is even worse. 

After an encouraging series against the Reds just a week ago, the Nationals have now dropped two straight series to the Chicago Cubs and now the New York Mets. With a rough three games in the Empire State in the books, let’s look at some of the biggest takeaways. 

Bullpen blows it… again 

By 2026 Nationals standards, the bullpen wasn’t that bad in the Mets series. However, in game two, Washington fans were treated to a familiar sight: a blown save. 

Yovanny Cruz, who has only played in three games for the Nats, came into the game with Washington leading 4-3. In short order, he allowed the first three batters he faced to reach base. Eventually, Francisco Lindor ended the game with a one-out single. 

Final: Mets 5, Nationals 4

The Nationals suffer blown save No. 32 on a walk-off by Francisco Lindor. Will Dion (4.1 IP, 0 H, 7 K) and Brady House (3-run HR) gave the team a shot, but it's bookended by a bad start and finish. 5-12 in last 17.

Record: 60-65

Cruz has struggled so far on his new team, blowing two saves and giving up five earned runs in five appearances. Not great, and another chapter in the team’s bullpen woes. 

Abimelec Ortiz… good at baseball 

Rookie first baseman Abimelec Ortiz is making a good first impression in Washington, one that continued against the Mets. 

Ortiz has five home runs in just 40 at bats, and is batting .300 on the season. He picked up two more hits against New York, including a dinger in Sunday’s series finale. 

Abimelec Ortiz hits HR No. 5

Ortiz in 14 career games:
.316 BA
5 HR
9 RBI
1.070 OPSpic.twitter.com/9zwBoatru7

It’s too early to say that Ortiz could be a big part of the Nats’ future, but it’s also a surprisingly swift power surge from the young infielder. 

That home run wasn’t enough to help power Washington to a win, but it’s still a good sign to have another young bat for the future — Ortiz, like many of the Nats’ stars, is under 25 at just 24 years old. 

CJ Abrams moves to second 

In a surprising late-season move, CJ Abrams is shifting to the other side of the second base bag. Abrams, for the time being, is a shortstop no more, and will be the Nats’ second baseman going forward. 

What that means for the future of the team is unknown. It could indicate a desire to keep Abrams around long-term — the move to second likely reduces his trade value — or could just be a reaction to relatively poor defense. 

Either way, it’s a big change for a big, still-emerging star. For that reason alone, it’s worth keeping an eye on.