Cole beats Mets for first career victory
NEW YORK -- A.J. Cole earned his first major league win by throwing six solid innings Friday night as the Washington Nationals beat the New York Mets, 4-1, at Citi Field.
Bryce Harper went 2-for-3 with one RBI and two runs scored and factored into each run scoring inning for the Nationals (79-55), who have won four straight to extend their National League East lead to a season-high 10 1/2 games over the Mets.
Wilson Ramos had an RBI single among his two hits while Anthony Rendon had a two-run single in the ninth. Trea Turner had two hits and two stolen bases.
The Mets (69-66) remained two games behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the race for the second NL wild card spot by virtue of the Cardinals' 3-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. New York has lost two straight, though it has won nine of its last 13 overall.
Cole (1-1), making just his third big league start, allowed one runs on three hits and two walks while striking out five. He gave up a home run to Asdrubal Cabrera leading off the fourth but otherwise allowed just one runner to get into scoring position.
Four pitchers combined to record the final nine outs, with Mark Melancon notching his 38th save with a one-hit ninth.
Harper's sacrifice fly in the first scored Turner, who singled and stole second and third. In the fourth, Harper doubled with one out, stole third and scored on Ramos single.
In the ninth, Daniel Murphy singled before taking third on Harper's double. Rendon followed with his run-scoring single.
Cabrera had two hits for the Mets.
Right-hander Noah Syndergaard (12-8) took the hard-luck loss after allowing two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out four over seven innings.
NOTES: Mets RHP Jacob deGrom (sore right forearm) is expected to miss his next start. DeGrom, who felt discomfort while pitching Thursday night, underwent an MRI that revealed no structural damage. He is 0-3 with a 9.82 ERA in his last three starts. ... Mets LHP Steven Matz (shoulder) is expected to resume throwing Monday at the team's spring training complex in Florida. ... The Nationals promoted seven players from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday: LHP Sean Burnett, OF Brian Goodwin, RHP Trevor Gott, LHP Matt Grace, RHP Mat Latos, RHP Rafael Martin and C Pedro Severino. To make room for Burnett and Latos on the 40-man roster, the Nationals shifted RHP Joe Ross to the 60-day disabled list and designated for assignment OF Matt den Dekker. ... Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg (sore right elbow) threw in the bullpen Friday.