Mets sweep Nationals as they try to salvage dignity in lost season

It’s hard to imagine the 2026 Mets season being remembered as anything but an unmitigated disaster.

But maybe the Mets will be able to salvage at least some dignity with a decent close to the season.

They took another step in that direction Sunday, completing a three-game sweep of the Nationals at Citi Field.

The 4-3 victory was their ninth in 12 games since the Aug. 3 deadline, when the Mets dismantled most of what was left of their bullpen and only didn’t do more to tear down the roster because there weren’t a lot of pieces other teams were interested in.

They finished off the Nationals thanks to a solid start by Christian Scott, who the Mets hope is a key part of next year’s rotation, and a three-run fourth inning that was capped by a two-run homer by Luis Torrens.

Scott, in the longest start of his major league career, faltered in the seventh. 

He gave up a run and left a pair of runners on base before Nate Lavender entered and got C.J. Abrams to pop out and whiffed Ortiz.

Daniel Duarte pitched a scoreless eighth and Kodai Senga picked up his third straight save.  

It was the Mets’ second sweep this month, as they also accomplished the feat in Cleveland immediately after the trade deadline.

And they also took a series in Pittsburgh, when the Pirates looked like a team ready to at least contend for the playoffs.

Even with their recent string of success, the Mets are 56-69. They entered the game 11 ½ games out of the last NL wild-card spot, with seven teams to get by to get there.

Still, the 13 games under .500 is the closest the Mets have been to the mark since they were 35-48 on June 27. And they’ve improved to 22-22 under interim manager Andy Green. 

If the above numbers haven’t already scared off Mets fans, they also have to deal with their next five series coming against teams currently in line for the playoffs.

That starts Monday in Queens against the Padres, who are second in the NL wild card race.

The San Diego series is followed by a trip to face the White Sox, first place in the AL Central and then a home series against the Brewers, owners of the best record in the majors and the AL West-leading Astros. 

And the stretch ends with a trip to face the Rays, who are atop the AL East.

For now, though, the Mets are doing their best to make things interesting.