Nationals 3, Mets 0
Dan Haren scattered one hit over six sizzling innings and Ryan Zimmerman belted his seventh homer in nine games as visiting Washington notched its fifth consecutive victory.
Rookie Anthony Rendon provided insurance by ripping a two-run double with two outs in the eighth inning. Denard Span led off the contest with a bloop single to extend his career-best hitting streak to 22 games for the Nationals, who have won seven of eight to remain six games behind Cincinnati in the race for the second wild card.
Haren (9-13) snapped a two-game losing skid by allowing just Juan Lagares' single to lead off the fourth inning. The 32-year-old struck out eight and retired the final nine batters he faced before three relievers bridged the gap to Rafael Soriano, who secured his 41st save.
After crushing eight homers to win the first two games of the series, Washington continued to flex its muscles Wednesday. Zimmerman led off the sixth inning by depositing an 0-2 hanging slider from Zack Wheeler (7-5) over the wall in left-center field for his 22nd homer.
Wheeler dropped to 2-4 at home after permitting just the one run on eight hits in seven innings.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Washington LF Bryce Harper returned to the lineup after missing four games with an ailing left hip. He went 1-for-4, but showed his frustration by smashing his bat in the dugout after his second strikeout in the eighth inning. ... SS Ruben Tejada, recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, made his first start with the Mets since May 29. He went 0-for-3. ... The Mets (64-80), who were shut out for the second time in the series, fell to 2-8 in September and dropped a season-worst 16 games under .500.