WASHINGTON — David Peterson pitched eight strong innings, and the New York Mets hit four home runs to defeat the Washington Nationals 8-1 on August 19, 2025, at Nationals Park. The victory improved the Mets to 67-58, keeping them in second place in the National League East, while the Washington Nationals dropped to 50-75, remaining in fifth.
Peterson (8-5) allowed four hits and one run with 11 strikeouts, facing 27 batters and throwing 96 pitches, 65 for strikes. He induced nine groundouts and turned two double plays with help from third baseman Brett Baty and second baseman Jeff McNeil. Ryne Stanek closed the ninth, giving up one hit but no runs. Jake Irvin (8-8) took the loss for the Washington Nationals, surrendering six runs on eight hits over six innings with three strikeouts and three walks.
The Mets exploded for five runs in the third inning. Francisco Lindor doubled to start, Juan Soto singled him to third, and Brandon Nimmo singled to score Lindor for a 1-0 lead. McNeil doubled to drive in Soto and Nimmo, making it 3-0. Mark Vientos then homered to left-center, his ninth of the season, scoring McNeil for a 5-0 advantage. Baty added a solo homer in the sixth, his 14th, extending the lead to 6-0. Soto homered in the seventh, his 31st, off reliever Spencer Pilkington, pushing it to 7-0. McNeil capped the scoring with a solo homer in the ninth, his 10th, off Jackson Rutledge.
The Washington Nationals managed their lone run in the ninth off Stanek, though details were not immediately available in initial reports. Andres Chaparro doubled, Dylan Crews tripled, and Jacob Young singled among the team’s five hits. The Washington Nationals went 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position and grounded into two double plays.
The 2025 season has been rebuilding-focused for the Washington Nationals, who entered the year with young talent like outfielder James Wood and pitcher MacKenzie Gore. Wood has emerged as a breakout star, batting .256 with power, while Gore struck out 10 in a recent shutout win over the Giants. Dylan Crews, a top prospect, has contributed with a .200 average in limited action. The Washington Nationals’ 50-74 record before the loss reflects challenges in the NL East, where they trail leaders like the Phillies. Playoff odds sit below 0.1 percent, per projections. Home-road splits show a 24-38 mark at Nationals Park versus 26-36 away.
For the Mets, the win continued a competitive campaign under manager Carlos Mendoza. At 66-58 entering the game, they held second in the NL East with a 63 percent playoff chance. Soto leads with 31 homers and 72 RBIs, batting .251 with an .886 OPS. Lindor hits .258 with a .780 OPS, while Pete Alonso bats .265. The Mets’ schedule includes interleague play, with recent losses to the Giants but wins over Cleveland.
This matchup marked the latest in the NL East rivalry, with the Mets taking the series opener. The Washington Nationals host the Mets again on August 20, with first pitch at 6:45 p.m. Fans can follow via MLB.com or local broadcasts.
As the season progresses, the Washington Nationals focus on development, with prospects like Crews and Chaparro gaining experience. The Mets aim for a postseason berth, building on offensive firepower.
