Francisco Alvarez homer powers Mets over Nationals in rebound win
WASHINGTON — Francisco Alvarez’s initial impact on this Mets lineup was felt Saturday.On a day his team struggled to find any kind of offensive rhythm, the catcher — in his second game since returning from the injured list — took over the responsibility of delivering a big hit.Alvarez’s two-run homer served as the Mets offense in a 2-0 victory over the Nationals.The Mets won for the eighth time in nine games, rebounding after their seven-game winning streak was snapped a night earlier.Luis Torrens nicely filled the void at catcher as Alvarez rehabbed from surgery to remove a broken hamate bone from his left hand.
But as much skill as Torrens brings to the position defensively, it’s the 23-year-old Alvarez’s potential offensively that sets him apart from most catchers.Alvarez hit 25 homers as a rookie two years ago before slumping last season, perhaps compromised by surgery in April to repair a torn left thumb ligament.Alvarez hit a two-run homer in the second inning to give the Mets a 2-0 lead.Alvarez jumped on a high slider from Brad Lord and sliced a shot inside the right-field foul pole after Jesse Winker had delivered a two-out single.In his season debut a night earlier, Alvarez went 1-for-4 at the plate and threw out a runner attempting to steal second base.The Mets (19-8) have another injury concern after A.J.
Minter left the mound in the eighth inning in discomfort.The left-hander, working a second straight day, got one out in the inning.
Max Kranick recorded the final two outs before Edwin Díaz — pitching for the first time since departing Wednesday’s game with a left hip cramp — earned the save with a scoreless ninth.Clay Holmes gave the Mets what they needed: five scoreless innings in which he allowed four hits and struck out two.The right-hander, who was removed after 70 pitches, lowered his ERA to 2.64.Just that the Mets could go that far with Holmes was a bonus following a rain delay in the first inning.
Holmes went 46 minutes b...