Mets 3 - 4 Nationals
Final
  for this game

Nats hold on late, clip Mets

Jul 19, 2012 - 4:13 AM Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Jordan Zimmermann tossed six scoreless innings, Adam LaRoche hit a two-run homer, and the Nationals escaped with a 4-3 win over the Mets on Wednesday.

Zimmermann (7-6) gave up four hits, struck out four and won his fourth straight decision. He did not issue a walk.

"He's been great all year for us," Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper said of Zimmermann.

Tyler Clippard allowed two solo homers in the ninth inning -- to David Wright and Jason Bay -- before striking out Jordany Valdespin to record his 15th save of the year.

LaRoche's home run -- his 16th of the season -- came in the bottom of the sixth and Steve Lombardozzi added a two-run double the next inning.

The Nationals will look for the sweep of this three-game series on Thursday.

The Mets, meanwhile, saw their season-high losing streak reach six games. They have lost five of their last six series against Washington dating back to last season.

Chris Young (2-4) was charged with two runs on six hits over six innings and lost his third straight start. He walked one and struck out two.

Andres Torres had a seventh-inning RBI single in the setback.

"I don't think we're gonna sit here and feel sorry for ourselves," said Young. "You make your own luck. And we will."

Valdespin hit a pinch-hit, ninth-inning homer in Tuesday's series opener, which the Mets lost in extras. But he was one of three strikeout victims for Clippard on Wednesday, who worked around Wright's leadoff shot and Bay's two- out blast down the left field line. Both homers came off of a first-pitch fastball.

In the seventh, Lombardozzi doubled off the wall in right, scoring Jesus Flores and Roger Bernadina after they reached with consecutive two-out singles. Bernadina's base hit ricocheted off of pitcher Miguel Batista and escaped into left field.

LaRoche also struck with two down, belting a 1-2 slider from Young into the stands in left-center. Harper singled earlier in the frame.

"I didn't think it was a bad pitch. It wasn't like I missed my spot," Young said.

Game Notes

Washington improved to 9-3 at home this season against the National League East...The last time the Mets lost six in a row was from September 10-15, 2011...Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada went 0-for-4 and saw his six-game hit streak come to an end.






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