Andrés Chaparro delivered one of the biggest performances of his season on Sunday, September 27, 2026, going 3-for-4 with two home runs and two RBI to power the Washington Nationals to a 6-4 comeback victory over the New York Mets at Nationals Park. Washington erased a three-run deficit to take the division rivalry game, with the bullpen holding New York scoreless over the final six innings after starter DJ Herz ran into early trouble. Will Dion earned the win, and Erik Tolman closed it out to earn the save.

Chaparro Carries Washington's Offense

There is no other way to frame Sunday's box score: this was Andrés Chaparro's game. The first baseman touched Sean Manaea for both of his home runs, doing the bulk of the damage against a pitcher who had taken the ball for New York through six innings. Manaea allowed five earned runs on seven hits, striking out three, and was handed the loss. Chaparro's two-homer, three-hit afternoon gave Washington's lineup the foundation it needed to climb back from a significant early hole.

The Mets did not go quietly. Francisco Lindor went 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI, while Ronny Mauricio added two hits, a home run, and two RBI. Carson Benge chipped in three hits and an RBI going 3-for-5. New York had the offensive production to win this game — Washington's pitching staff simply would not allow it in the later innings.

Bullpen Shuts Down New York After Rough Start for Herz

DJ Herz did not give the Nationals what they needed. The left-hander lasted just three innings, surrendering four earned runs on six hits with two strikeouts and a walk. New York built a 4-1 lead that looked commanding early. But Washington's bullpen stepped in and slammed the door.

  • Will Dion: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 K, 1 BB — earned the win
  • Riley Cornelio: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 K, 1 BB — kept the game within reach
  • Jack Sinclair: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 K
  • Erik Tolman: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 K, 1 BB — earned the save

After Herz exited, the Nationals' relief corps combined to throw six innings of shutout baseball, allowing just three hits total. That collective effort is what made the comeback possible.

Turning Point: Washington Chips Away and Takes the Lead

The Nationals trailed 4-1 before their offense began working back into the game against Manaea. Chaparro's second home run of the afternoon was the critical swing — it put Washington ahead for good. By the time Austin Warren came on for New York in relief, the Nationals had already done the damage, and Warren allowed one earned run on two hits in his inning of work. Cionel Pérez struck out two in a clean final inning for the Mets, but the game was out of reach by then.

Coming back from a three-run deficit against a division opponent is not a minor footnote. Washington executed on both sides of the ball in the second half of this game when it counted.

What's Next for the Nationals

Washington improves with this division win late in the 2026 regular season. The Nationals showed resilience on Sunday — a shaky start from their rotation, a multi-run deficit, and a high-powered Mets lineup that put up real numbers. They answered with their bullpen and one dominant offensive performance from Chaparro. That combination was enough.