Carson Benge becomes the first Mets rookie to join the 20-20 club.

The Mets extended manager Andy Green for three years after he guided the team to a 33-30 record since the All-Star break. In a 7-6 loss to Washington, rookie Carson Benge went 2-for-2 with two walks and a home run, becoming the first Mets rookie to reach 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a season and the eighth player in MLB history to record a 20-20 season in his debut year. Benge also set a Mets rookie record with 162 hits, strengthening his NL Rookie of the Year case, though Cincinnati’s Sal Stewart was considered the favorite. The loss ensured the Mets would finish last in the NL East.
Green took over on June 26 with the Mets at 34-47, and players endorsed his three-year extension; he was also given a free hand in choosing his coaching staff.
Benge’s Rookie of the Year case also rests on his defense: he had 10 outfield assists, while his 3.7 bWAR and 3.7 fWAR both ranked second among NL rookies entering Friday’s games.
Benge had been especially productive recently, going 17-for-52 with four home runs, nine RBIs and nine runs scored over his previous 13 games.
Nationals starter Andrew Alvarez finished the game with 14 swings-and-misses, but gave up consecutive fifth-inning home runs to Bo Bichette and Benge; his season as a starter ended with a 3.35 ERA, 86 strikeouts and 41 walks in 86 innings.
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