The Mets didn't want to get reversed swept by the Nationals on their home field. A nine-run eighth inning is definitely a way to avoid that.
Down 4-2 heading into the bottom of the eighth, Michael Conforto and Yoenis Cespedes got things started with back-to-back singles. After an Asdrubal Cabrera single to load the bases, it was Todd Frazier that tied the game with an RBI single smashed back up the middle off Nats reliever Ryan Madsen.
Now tied 4-4, Juan Lagares had bases loaded himself with two outs.