Nationals 3 - 0 Mets
Final
  for this game

Zimmermann, Nats hope to get closer to NL East title vs. Mets

Sep 14, 2014 - 11:53 AM (SportsNetwork.com) - It's been over two months since Jordan Zimmermann lost a game. The Nationals right-hander tries to continue that impressive streak and help his team move closer to the National League East crown when Washington concludes a four-game series against the New York Mets at Citi Field.

The Nationals have a magic number of six to win the division, and Zimmermann has been a huge reason why Washington is in position to capture the NL East for the second time in three seasons. The right-hander is 5-0 over his last 10 starts and hasn't lost since July 11 at Philadelphia. He is coming off a Tuesday win over the Braves.

Zimmermann is 6-5 with a 3.16 ERA in 19 starts versus the Mets. That includes a 2-0 mark in three starts in 2014.

Lefty Jonathon Niese, who counters for the Mets, has given up at least seven hits in each of his last five starts. He didn't get a decision against the Rockies on Monday after yielding eight hits and one run in 6 2/3 innings. Niese is 3-2 with a 3.52 ERA in nine games versus the Nationals.

Last night, Ian Desmond went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored as Washington nabbed a 10-3 win. Bryce Harper and Denard Span each hit a two-run home run, while Jayson Werth drove in two and scored twice for the Nationals, who have won five of their last seven. Doug Fister (14-6) gave up just three runs -- two earned -- on five hits in six innings to pick up the win.

"It's an all-around team effort," Fister said. "Guys came out swinging and put up a lot of runs. That just set the tone."

Washington is 9 1/2 games up on second-place Atlanta, which lost to Texas on Saturday.

Wilmer Flores hit a two-run home run for the Mets, who had won five of six coming in. Zack Wheeler (10-10) was tagged for all six runs on seven hits and a pair of walks in four-plus innings.

"When you don't pitch, the game gets ugly," Mets manager Terry Collins said.

Washington has won 12 of 15 games with New York this season, including seven of eight as the guests.






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