J.D. Martinez broke an 0-for-12 slump with a three-run homer in the 10th, lifting the Mets to a wild 9-7 win over the Nationals, snapping a two-game losing streak and returning them to .500.

The Mets, who have now won 19 of their last 27 games, found themselves in a rollercoaster 10th inning that featured a grand total of six runs, errors, and near heart attacks for fans. Despite bullpen hiccups and dramatic homers from both sides, it was Martinez's well-timed blast and Reed Garrett's nerve-wracking save that finally sealed the deal. As for the Nationals, this marks their fourth loss to the Mets this season, further cementing New York's recent resurgence.

The game was a tight affair until the final inning when chaos erupted. David Peterson delivered a solid start for the Mets, allowing just two runs over 6 1/3 innings. He managed to navigate through a few sticky moments despite giving up seven hits and a walk, striking out two. On the other side, Mackenzie Gore kept New York hitters in check, giving up only one run over 5 2/3 innings, with an impressive eight strikeouts. It was as if the baseball gods decided to drop a twist ending to a drama-filled movie.

Things really took off in the 10th inning. Francisco Alvarez kicked off the festivities with an RBI triple, setting the tone for what would become a high-drama inning. Then, J.D. Martinez, who had been mired in a frustrating 0-for-12 slump, crushed a three-run homer that seemed to break the game wide open. For Martinez, it was a sweet moment of redemption on a night full of ups and downs.

The Nationals tried to mount a comeback of their own. Harold Ramirez and Joey Meneses each had RBI singles in the third inning against David Peterson, while Jose Iglesias hit a two-run homer in the 10th. This was Iglesias's first major league homer since July 2022—talk about a timely hit.

Just when Mets fans thought they could breathe easy, Jake Diekman made sure to keep everyone on edge with a throwing error in the ninth inning. The error extended the game and further raised the tension in an already nerve-wracking contest. Tyler Jay then gave up four runs in the bottom of the 10th, ensuring that no one left their seats early.

Reed Garrett was finally called upon to get the Mets out of their self-inflicted jam. Facing the tying runs on base, Garrett managed to record the final out, securing his fourth save of the season and a much-needed win for the Mets. 'We made it a lot harder than it needed to be, but we got the win,' Garrett said after the game. It's like we decided to give the fans a few extra heart palpitations for free.

The Nationals had their own share of memorable moments despite the loss. James Wood, their top prospect, made his major league debut and collected a hit in his very first at-bat, going 1-for-4 on the night. It's small consolation in the face of a tough loss, but it's a bright spot for a team still finding its sea legs. Hey, every baseball journey starts with a single hit, right?

This win brought the Mets back to a .500 record at 41-41, snapping a two-game losing streak and continuing their recent strong form—they have now won 19 of their last 27 games since May 30. Conversely, the Nationals' struggles against the Mets persisted, marking their fourth meeting this season and fourth loss. The Nationals must be wondering if the Mets have some secret playbook, as they just can't seem to catch a break!

After the game, Mets manager praised his team's resilience but acknowledged the need for tighter play. 'We’ve got to clean things up, especially in the bullpen. But I’m proud of how the guys fought back,' he said. 'It's like we decided to host a mini-fireworks show in the bullpen, and that's definitely not in the game plan!'

The series between these two teams has been anything but predictable, and last night’s game was no exception. Fans from both sides are likely still catching their breath after such a rollercoaster of events.