Jacob deGrom dominated the Braves in the first game of a key series, striking out 13 over seven innings while allowing just one run. He didn’t have much help from the Mets offense, but he didn’t need it. deGrom supplied the only run of the game himself by hitting a solo homer, becoming the first Mets pitcher to do that in a 1-0 game since Jacob deGrom. His ERA dropped to 2.56 on the season, and he passed 200 strikeouts. The usual precision was there, with him painting corners and freezing hitters like Ronald Acuña Jr. Mets fans were into it and the bench erupted after his homer.
Aníbal Sánchez also turned in a gem against the Cubs, going 8.1 innings and allowing just one hit. At 14 years in the league, he’s quietly been a steady presence in a loaded Nationals rotation. Once written off by Detroit, Sánchez has revived his career in Washington. He not only shut the Cubs down but also went 2 for 3 at the plate, out-hitting Chicago by himself. He dropped a perfect bunt that sat just inside the line and followed it with some clean swings. His ERA now sits at 3.81 with 130 innings pitched over 26 starts. Rendon and Turner had some fun from the dugout, throwing gum and celebrating the win. Overall, strong weeks from both deGrom and Sánchez who did it on the mound and at the plate.