Grandy's late homer gets Mets to 90 wins
NEW YORK -- A turbulent and ultimately successful regular season ended Sunday with the vision that general manager Sandy Alderson first set forth for the Mets two years ago: 90 wins. The Mets hit that mark on the dot with a 1-0 win over the Nationals at Citi Field, capping their best season since 2006 with an eye toward the National League Division Series beginning Friday in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.
"I just think it's a great finish," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "We had a tough week, but we've got to move ahead, take the win today ... and I think we're ready."
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Shortly after the Nationals broke up New York's combined no-hitter attempt in the seventh, Curtis Granderson launched a homer to straightaway center in the eighth to give the Mets just their second run in 43 innings. From there, it was simply a matter of Jeurys Familia locking down the ninth for his franchise-record-tying 43rd save.
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Tanner Roark blanked the Mets over the first six innings, striking out six, but could not prevent the Nationals from finishing 83-79, their worst record since 2011. Their postgame clubhouse -- Ian Desmond in tears, Matt Williams uncertain about his future -- came in direct contrast to the jubilant room across the way.
Video: WAS@NYM: Mets salute Citi Field after 90th win
"Sometimes you get caught up in the moment ... and you don't get to look around and just see the joy on the fans' faces," Mets third baseman David Wright said. "That's kind of the lasting memory that I had: being able to celebrate 90 wins, the National League East, with the fans at home."
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MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
At long last, a run: The Mets' most significant problem for most of the weekend was their inability to score; at one point, they had plated just one run in their last 42 innings. Granderson finally gave them the only run they would need with a homer off Blake Treinen in the eighth.
Roark goes out on good note: Roark, who could be back in the rotation next year, pitched six shutout innings and allowed three hits. But the bullpen couldn't keep the Mets scoreless for long.
Video: WAS@NYM: Roark fans six over six scoreless innings
No more no-no: A day after the Nationals no-hit them on their home turf, the Mets spent most of Sunday pursuing a no-no of their own. Jacob deGrom, Bartolo Colon and Logan Verrett delivered six combined no-hit innings, before Clint Robinson slashed a single facing Jon Niese that ricocheted off Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada with two outs in the seventh. Without much delay, official scorer Jordan Sprechman ruled it a hit.
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"It was tough to see today," Collins said. "Guys were coming back and they couldn't pick up the spin or anything on the ball. I wasn't surprised when we looked up and there wasn't a lot of runs on the board or a lot of hits today."
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In rare company: With a scoreless ninth, Familia locked down his 43rd save, matching Armando Benitez's franchise record. Familia worked around a two-out Bryce Harper double, inducing a flyout from Jayson Werth to end the Mets' regular season. More >
Video: WAS@NYM: Familia seals 43rd save, Mets' 90th win
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
The Mets recorded 90 wins for the 11th time in team history, and the first time since they went 97-65 in 2006.
WHAT'S NEXT
Nationals: The Nationals go home for the offseason and try to figure out why they finished behind the Mets in the division. The Nationals need to improve the bullpen, which was their weakest link during the season.
Mets: Now for the fun part. After a day of rest Monday, the Mets will work out Tuesday and Wednesday at Citi Field, then fly to Los Angeles on Wednesday afternoon. One more workout awaits them out West, before deGrom starts NLDS Game 1 Friday at Dodger Stadium.
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