Mets connect versus Strasburg early (Nats fall 11-8)

Both of today's starters, Stephen Strasburg and Noah Syndergaard, struck out the side in the first inning.

But during those frames, the teams combined for four runs and six hits.

The Mets enjoyed a two-run double from Wilson Ramos and an RBI triple courtesy of Jeff McNeil to lead 3-0 off of Strasburg in the first.

The Nats countered with a two-out Anthony Rendon double off the bottom of the right field wall. Juan Soto delivered a seeing-eye single to right field to plate Rendon.

In the second, the Mets added another run after a walk to Syndergaard and a double by Pete Alonso that went over the head of center fielder Victor Robles.

After two innings, the Mets lead the Nationals 4-1.

Update: Young outfielders fought back for the Nats offensively in the third. Robles had a solo homer, his first of season. Soto added a second RBI base hit four batters later.

After three frames, the Nats are down 4-3.

Update II: Soto delivers another key base hit, a double to begint he sixth. He comes around to score the tying run on a Kurt Suzuki sacrifice fly to left field.

Strasburg lasts six innings, allowing four runs on seven hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. He threw 96 pitches, 62 for strikes.

Mid-seventh, the Mets and the Nationals tied at 4-4.

Update III: The Nats relief corps struggled to get outs in the eighth. The Mets connected on three singles and a walk off of Trevor Rosenthal. J.D. Davis had the big blow, a two-run single. Another run scored on a Kyle Barraclough balk. Alonso finished the rally with an RBI double.

Mid-eighth, the Mets regain the lead over the Nats, 8-4.

Update IV: With two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth, down four runs, pinch-hitter Matt Adams took Seth Lugo's first offering to the wall in right-center field, where Michael Conforto made the catch, bouncing off the wall, glove extended to show the umpire.

After eight, the Mets lead 8-4.

Update V: The ninth did not go well for Matt Grace and Wander Suero. McNeil connected on an RBI double and Dominic Smith delivered a two-run single. The Mets have pounded out 14 hits today.

Mid-ninth, the Mets lead the Nats 11-4.

Update VI: In the bottom of the ninth, a Rendon hit-by-pitch scored Andrew Stevenson. With the bases loaded against Lugo and two away, Ryan Zimmerman doubled to left to score three runs. The Nats had cut the Mets' lead to 11-8. But then Kurt Suzuki flew out to left field off of Edwin Díaz to end the game.

Final score; the Mets 11, the Nats 8. Nats 0-2 to begin season.