FRANKIE SAID WALK IT OFF: Lindor's Clutch Knocks Caps Mets' Wild Ninth-Inning Comeback

NEW YORK — Call it a rescue mission. Call it a heart-stopper. Just don't call it boring.

The Mets were down 4-3, the bats were cold, and Citi Field was waiting for another gut-punch. Instead, Francisco Lindor flipped the script.

With one swing — or rather, one perfectly placed single over a drawn-in right fielder — Lindor capped a breathless ninth-inning rally, lifting the Mets to a 5-4 walk-off win over the Washington Nationals on Saturday. It was New York's sixth walk-off of the season, and this one had all the drama.

The Rally That Almost Wasn't

Trailing by one, Brett Baty worked a leadoff walk against Yovanny Cruz. Then Jorge Polanco — mired in a brutal 7-for-71 slump since returning from the injured list on July 7 — snapped out of it with a single. Baty didn't stop running, and Francisco Alvarez's double brought him home to tie the game.

After A.J. Ewing struck out, the stage was set for Lindor. The shortstop, who had been thrown out at second trying to advance on a pitch in the dirt in the eighth, wasn't about to waste a second chance. He laced a single over the head of drawn-in right fielder Dylan Crews, and Polanco raced home with the winning run.

Redemption? You bet.

Yan's Leap, Benge's Arm

Jefry Yan (1-0) was absolutely nails, throwing 1 2/3 perfect innings — and punctuating all three strikeouts with his trademark high-flying leap. The guy celebrates like he's on a trampoline, and honestly, after this one, why not?

Earlier, Carson Benge did a little bit of everything. He homered in the sixth, then showed off the arm in the seventh, throwing out Andrew Pinckney at the plate trying to score from third on Dylan Crews' fly out. A superstar in the making, folks.

Early Fireworks, Late Damage

Jared Young got things started with a two-run double in the first off Nationals starter Brad Lord, who was all over the place — four walks and 44 pitches while recording just two outs. Sean Manaea did his part, allowing four runs and striking out seven over 6 1/3 innings.

But Washington answered. Andrés Chaparro went deep in the fourth, and Brady House unloaded a go-ahead three-run shot in the sixth. The Nationals are now 179 homers on the season — most in the majors and their most since 2021. They can mash. But on this night, the Mets mashed back when it mattered most.

Will Dion threw 4 1/3 no-hit innings of relief for Washington, striking out seven. Still, it wasn't enough.

What's Next

The series finale is Sunday, with Nationals RHP Jake Irvin (2-6, 5.79 ERA) taking on Mets RHP Christian Scott (3-3, 3.45 ERA). If Saturday was any indication, buckle up.