WASHINGTON -- If only Terry Collins had pinch hit for Rafael Montero, none of this might have happened.
The New York Mets twice had skirted disaster with Montero as the starting pitcher, winning his first two outings in place of Jacob deGrom despite Montero walking nine batters in 8 1/3 innings. Collins then stuck with Montero too long on Monday, in the manager’s second debatable decision in three days. And this time the Mets were burned in what became an 8-1 series-opening loss to the Washington Nationals.
The saving grace: The Cardinals continued their free fall with a loss to the Chicago Cubs.