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Mets top Nats, push win streak to five

Apr 27, 2011 - 5:17 AM Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Josh Thole hit a two-run double and drove in three as the New York Mets got past Washington, 6-4, in the opener of a three- game set at Nationals Park.

"There are a lot of expectations on one guy and he tries hard," said Mets manager Terry Collins of Thole. "We talked before the game, about doing what he can do. It's what his career's been all about."

Carlos Beltran and David Wright also drove in a run each for the Mets, who upped their season-best winning streak to five games.

Ryota Igarashi (1-0) recorded the final out of the fifth for the win in relief of Chris Young. Activated from the 15-day disabled list just before game time, Young lasted just 4 2/3 innings, charged with four hits and three runs, but also drove in one.

Wilson Ramos hit a pair of homers and Jayson Werth also went deep for the Nationals, who have dropped five of six.

Jordan Zimmermann (1-4) allowed nine hits and five runs over his 5 1/3-inning start.

Tied 3-3 in the sixth, the Mets picked up two valuable runs. Jason Bay and Ike Davis hit consecutive one-out singles off Zimmermann, then Doug Slaten came on only to give up a double to Thole which plated a pair to give New York a 5-3 advantage.

"I thought he threw the ball good. He's a great competitor but I don't think he was quite at the top of his game tonight," said Nats manager Jim Riggleman of his starter.

Rick Ankiel singled with one down in the eighth and later came in on a Ramos base hit for a one-run game, but Wright's deflected groundout with the bases loaded in the top of the ninth scored Pridie to make it 6-4.

Francisco Rodriguez worked around a leadoff single to earn his fifth save with a scoreless home portion.

In the Mets' first, Thole's groundout with runners on second and third plated the visitors' initial run. After a base hit from Jason Pridie, Young's squeeze-bunt try plated Davis for a 2-0 lead.

Ramos cleared the wall in left-center in the home second, but Beltran's RBI double in the third restored New York's two-run edge.

Werth's leadoff shot and Ramos' one-out blast tied the game in the fourth.

Game Notes

New York has won six of its last 10 games in America's capital...Prior to the contest, the Nats placed shortstop Ian Desmond on the paternity leave list and recalled outfielder Roger Bernadina from Triple-A Syracuse...The Mets optioned pitcher D.J. Carrasco to Triple-A Buffalo to make room for Young.