The Mets’ defense certainly did not help out rookie Nolan McLean in Saturday’s second inning. Nor did he help himself.
Juan Soto and Pete Alonso were charged with errors, and McLean uncorked a run-scoring wild pitch to allow the Nationals to score two unearned runs in the inning for an early 3-0 lead at Citi Field.
Francisco Lindor also had a liner glance off his glove to open the frame, but that was scored as an infield single for Dylan Crews.
Soto then misplayed a single to right by Riley Adams, allowing Crews to score from first.
Alonso’s high throw to McLean covering first was the second error of the inning.
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Brady House was initially was called out on the play, but a replay review showed that McLean did not step on first base.
With runners on the corners, McLean sailed a wild pitch over catcher Francisco Alvarez’s glove, and Adams scored from third for a three-run Washington advantage.
McLean entered the game with a 1.19 ERA over his first six starts for the Mets, who began the day with a two-game lead over the Reds for the final wild-card spot in the National League.