Mets 3, Nationals 2
Dillon Gee overcame a pair of solo blasts to toss 7 2/3 solid innings and Ike Davis belted a two-run homer as visiting New York topped Washington in the opener of a three-game set.
Daniel Murphy collected two hits and scored twice for the Mets, who have won three of four overall and snapped a three-game losing to the Nationals. Washington fell for just the second time in 10 outings to remain 6 1/2 games behind Cincinnati in the race for the second wild card.
Gee (10-9) improved to 3-1 in August and 7-2 versus the Nationals after allowing two runs on six hits. Scott Rice induced Bryce Harper to ground out to end a threat in the eighth inning before LaTroy Hawkins retired the side in order in the ninth for his sixth save.
Wilson Ramos recorded the game's first hit by homering to lead off the third, but Davis answered in the following inning. The slugger drilled a first-pitch changeup from Jordan Zimmermann (15-8) over the left-center field wall and into the bullpen. The opposite-field shot was Davis' ninth homer of the season - and first since Aug. 20.
Murphy's aggressive play on the bases gave New York a 3-1 lead in the eighth inning as he scored from second on Andrew Brown's two-out infield single. The run proved vital as Steve Lombardozzi belted a pinch-hit homer with two outs in the bottom of the frame.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Zimmermann, who was denied in his bid for his NL-leading 16th victory, fell to 0-3 versus New York this season. The 27-year-old permitted three runs on six hits in 7 2/3 innings. ... Washington CF Denard Span extended his hitting streak to 13 games after legging out an infield single with two outs in the eighth inning. Harper, who went 0-for-4, saw his stretch end at 11 games. ... Ramos has belted five of his 28 career homers against the Mets.