Mets even streak with Dodgers behind Jacob deGrom’s strong start, Brandon Nimmo’s big catch

The New York Mets defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 (box score) on Wednesday and even dragged the three-game set — a potential National League Championship Series preview — 1-1 into Thursday’s rubber game. The Mets can credit their win to three players in particular: right-handed starting pitcher Jacob deGrom and outfielders Starling Marte and Brandon Nimmo.

DeGrom, making his first start in nearly a week, threw a season-high seven innings. He gave up a run on three hits (one of which was a solo home run against Mookie Betts, his 32nd of the campaign) and a walk. He hit nine batters and threw 93 pitches. That number was deGrom’s second-highest pitch number of the season.

DeGrom entered the night after amassing a 2.15 ERA (185 ERA+) and a 23.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 29 ⅓ innings. His seasonal ERA is now down to 1.98 in 36 ⅓ frames.

For his part, Marte overran both of the Mets’ runs with a two-run home run in the third inning that gave New York a 2-0 lead. It was Marte’s 16th explosion this year. Just look:

Marte’s home run left the bat with an exit speed of 107 mph and carried 411 feet, according to Statcast.

As for Nimmo, he made one of the best catches of the season at the top of seventh, robbing Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner of a potential game-defining home run. Watch in all its color TV glory:

The Mets are now 83-48 on the season. The Dodgers are now 90-39. As mentioned in the introduction, the two teams will play a rubber match on Thursday. Clayton Kershaw will face Chris Bassitt.