CJ Abrams blast lifts Nationals to series win over Mets

James O'Connell, New York Daily News on Apr 30, 2026

Published in Baseball

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NEW YORK — Another day, another loss.

It’s been the theme of this brutal Mets season to expect defeat once they step on the diamond, and they found another heartbreaking way to lose on Thursday afternoon at Citi Field.

In the top of the eighth inning of the rubber match of a three-game series between the Mets and division-rival Nationals, manager Carlos Mendoza’s club actually held a one-run lead. However, with a runner on base, Luke Weaver served up a no-doubt two-run homer to CJ Abrams, leading to the Nats’ come-from-behind 5-4 victory to take the series.

Weaver’s struggles continue at a horrific time for the Mets, as he owns a 6.00 ERA since coming over from the Yankees.

Juan Soto gave the Mets a chance to answer immediately with a leadoff double in the bottom of the eighth, but he remained at second base the remainder of the inning.

There were some moments of fight shown by the Mets. With the Nationals taking an early 3-0 lead, MJ Melendez launched a three-run homer — his second of the season — to tie the game in the bottom of the third.

The game remained 3-3 until Mark Vientos doubled in Soto — who had another solid afternoon, going 2 for 3 with a double and a walk — to hand a 4-3 lead over to their bullpen.

In the ninth, Francisco Alvarez delivered a two-out, pinch-hit double down the left-field line to give his club yet another opportunity to tie the game. However, Ronny Mauricio struck out as the next batter to end the game.

On the bright side, the Mets got a strong outing from their ace. Freddy Peralta tossed six innings, allowing three runs (only one earned), on four hits while striking out six. Peralta was charged with a throwing error in the second leading to those two runs scoring.

It’s difficult to pick out the positives as the vibes at Citi Field seem eerily similar to the days of the Wilpon ownership. Empty stands, and the few in attendance are rooting for a team that they’re expecting to lose somehow, someway.

The Mets will happily flip their calendar to May, coming out of April a league-worst 10-21. They will head to the West Coast to begin a nine-game road trip against the Angels, Rockies and Diamondbacks. Christian Scott will rejoin the team to start their series in Anaheim on Friday night.