Following the outpour of support for his father, Keith Kranepool wanted to be at Citi Field with his son Ethan for the Mets’ return from their road trip on Monday.
Ed Kranepool, a franchise icon, died last week at age 79.
Keith and Ethan planned to travel from Raleigh, N.C., and James Madison University in Virginia, respectively, just to watch the Mets’ video tribute for Ed Kranepool in person.
But when Mets director of alumni relations Jay Horwitz heard both planned to attend, it was arranged for the Kranepools to participate in the proceedings.
Ethan Kranepool threw out the ceremonial first pitch to his dad before the Mets topped the Nationals, 2-1 in 10 innings.
Ed Kranepool, a Bronx native from James Monroe High School, played 18 seasons for the Mets, and won a World Series with the team in 1969.
“This is a family to us,” Keith Kranepool said. “[Ed Kranepool] loved what he did from being a kid, and I hope we all get that chance.”
Harrison Bader entered as the automatic runner for the bottom of the 10th inning and scored the winning run on Starling Marte’s walk-off single.
Bader replaced Mark Vientos as the runner, leaving the Mets an infielder short if the game extended to the 11th inning.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said he would have used catcher Luis Torrens at second base if the game continued.
Torrens played two games at second base for the Mariners in 2022.
Kodai Senga is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday, with batters standing at the plate but not swinging, as he continues his progression toward possible activation from the injured list next week.
Senga won’t be fully built up, but could potentially be utilized as either an opener of sorts or work from the bullpen.
He is rehabbing from a strained left calf that was sustained during his first start of the season on July 26.
Nolan McLean was named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week at Double-A Binghamton.
The 23-year-old McLean threw six scoreless innings with two hits allowed and two walks with six strikeouts in a start at Portland.
In 25 starts this season, he is 4-10 with a 3.78 ERA with 116 strikeouts and 42 walks in 109 ²/₃ innings.