The rotation fuels the Mets' run toward the wild card

NEW YORK — After returning to the dugout in the middle of the sixth inning Tuesday night, Tyler Magill hugged his pitching coach, hugged his catcher and then joined his rotation mates in open celebration. With their arms around each other, Magill and his fellow Mets starters jumped up and down in the dugout, holding the team's custom-made “OMG” sign, smiling and laughing.

For Mets starting pitchers, life is good. Magill's six effective innings in a 10-1 win over the Nationals cut the rotation's combined September ERA to 1.90. Its members have managed just one loss in 15 starts this month, perhaps most notable as New York retains control of a National League wild card spot.

A Mets win over the Nats would put them two games ahead of the Braves at 11, including a three-header next week in Atlanta.

Magill, who is only in the rotation because Paul Blackburn is sidelined with a spinal fluid leak, continued to show his unpredictability with six different pitches, including a sinker that has become an increasingly important part of his arsenal. Over six innings, he allowed just two hits and one earned run, the result of a Luisangel Acuna error in the third.

It was the sixth consecutive quality start for the Mets and their ninth in their last 10 games.

Pete Alonso provided the offense he needed with a two-run single (which he blooped) and a three-run homer (which he smashed), while Jose Iglesias collected three hits, Francisco Alvarez hit his third home run in a week and Acuna added had his first long ball and first RBI as a Met, allowing the team — at least for one night — to forget the absence of Francisco Lindor.