WASHINGTON — Dedniel Nunez’s trustworthiness within the Mets bullpen is growing by the day.
The fireballing right-hander was given a high-leverage spot on Tuesday, asked to complete the seventh inning with the tying run on the plate after David Peterson’s departure.
Nunez struck out Lane Thomas to finish the threat after which returned to work an ideal eighth within the Mets’ 6-3 victory over the Nationals.

“In that moment I just said, ‘Yeah, I’m going to beat you,’ ” Nunez said through an interpreter, referring to his strikeout of Thomas on a 97 mph fastball.
It was Nunez’s fourth straight appearance since his recall from Triple-A Syracuse through which he didn’t allow an earned run.
During that stretch he’s struck out nine over 5 ¹/₃ innings.
His emergence has include veteran arms similar to Adam Ottavino, Reed Garrett and Jake Diekman slumping.
Edwin Diaz was also struggling before he was placed on the injured list last week with a right shoulder impingement.
“[Nunez’s] stuff overall looks pretty heavy from the dugout,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “You’ll be able to tell by the swings the hitters are taking over his pitches.”
Nunez, 27, is relishing the possibility to pitch with more at stake.
“I appreciate the trust that [Mendoza] is putting to me at this point,” Nunez said. “It’s like the following level of trust. But in addition the energy the team has been displaying on the sector it type of puts you ready where you’re going out to assist the team as much as you most likely can.”
Jose Iglesias began for a second straight game at second base, leaving slumping Jeff McNeil on the bench against lefty starter DJ Herz.

Iglesias went 1-for-4 an evening after ending with three hits.
“It’s only one if those, Iglesias had a great game [Monday],” Mendoza said. “Look, McNeil continues to be our second baseman. For us to get where we wish to get we’re going to need Jeff McNeil to be the player he’s able to.”
Mendoza declined to say if he planned to reinsert McNeil into the lineup for Wednesday’s series finale — the Nationals are scheduled to begin a 3rd straight lefty in Patrick Corbin.
In a rehab game, Francisco Alvarez was behind the plate for all nine innings in the primary no-hitter in Brooklyn Cyclones history. Dakota Hawkins, Joey Lancellotti and Joshua Cornielly combined for the no-hitter in a 3-0 victory over Aberdeen.
The Mets are hopeful Alvarez can be activated from the injured list next week.
Diaz threw a 21-pitch bullpen session and certain will appear in a minor league game on Thursday, in line with Mendoza.
The precise-hander is prone to return from the injured list next week.
WASHINGTON — Dedniel Nunez’s trustworthiness within the Mets bullpen is growing by the day.
The fireballing right-hander was given a high-leverage spot on Tuesday, asked to complete the seventh inning with the tying run on the plate after David Peterson’s departure.
Nunez struck out Lane Thomas to finish the threat after which returned to work an ideal eighth within the Mets’ 6-3 victory over the Nationals.

“In that moment I just said, ‘Yeah, I’m going to beat you,’ ” Nunez said through an interpreter, referring to his strikeout of Thomas on a 97 mph fastball.
It was Nunez’s fourth straight appearance since his recall from Triple-A Syracuse through which he didn’t allow an earned run.
During that stretch he’s struck out nine over 5 ¹/₃ innings.
His emergence has include veteran arms similar to Adam Ottavino, Reed Garrett and Jake Diekman slumping.
Edwin Diaz was also struggling before he was placed on the injured list last week with a right shoulder impingement.
“[Nunez’s] stuff overall looks pretty heavy from the dugout,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “You’ll be able to tell by the swings the hitters are taking over his pitches.”
Nunez, 27, is relishing the possibility to pitch with more at stake.
“I appreciate the trust that [Mendoza] is putting to me at this point,” Nunez said. “It’s like the following level of trust. But in addition the energy the team has been displaying on the sector it type of puts you ready where you’re going out to assist the team as much as you most likely can.”
Jose Iglesias began for a second straight game at second base, leaving slumping Jeff McNeil on the bench against lefty starter DJ Herz.

Iglesias went 1-for-4 an evening after ending with three hits.
“It’s only one if those, Iglesias had a great game [Monday],” Mendoza said. “Look, McNeil continues to be our second baseman. For us to get where we wish to get we’re going to need Jeff McNeil to be the player he’s able to.”
Mendoza declined to say if he planned to reinsert McNeil into the lineup for Wednesday’s series finale — the Nationals are scheduled to begin a 3rd straight lefty in Patrick Corbin.
In a rehab game, Francisco Alvarez was behind the plate for all nine innings in the primary no-hitter in Brooklyn Cyclones history. Dakota Hawkins, Joey Lancellotti and Joshua Cornielly combined for the no-hitter in a 3-0 victory over Aberdeen.
The Mets are hopeful Alvarez can be activated from the injured list next week.
Diaz threw a 21-pitch bullpen session and certain will appear in a minor league game on Thursday, in line with Mendoza.
The precise-hander is prone to return from the injured list next week.