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Fister, Nationals rout Mets

Aug 13, 2014 - 5:51 AM Flushing, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Doug Fister pitched seven strong innings and Michael Taylor hit a two-run home run in his MLB debut as the Washington Nationals roughed up the New York Mets, 7-1, in the opener of a three-game set.

Ian Desmond and Bryce Harper each hit a two-run home run, while Anthony Rendon added a solo shot for the Nationals, who have won four of their last six.

Fister (12-3) gave up just seven hits while striking out three to win for a seventh time in his past nine starts. Over those nine starts, he has given up three or less earned runs in each outing.

"This is a team game and I can only do so much," said Fister. "Once I release the ball after that everybody else has control. We're a team here and that's the atmosphere that we set."

Eric Campbell drove in the lone run of the game for the Mets, who had taken three of four from Philadelphia coming into this series. Rafael Montero (0-3) allowed five runs on seven hits in five-plus innings of work.

"There was a few pitches he left out there," said New York manager Terry Collins about Montero. "But you see he's got the weapons you need to succeed at this level. He's got a good arm and good movement, he's just got to continue to work."

Harper's two-run home run in the second put the Nationals on top, and the game went into a 25-minute rain delay with one out in the top of the third inning.

The Nationals used three long balls in the sixth inning to take control of the contest.

Rendon got it starter with a leadoff homer and, after Adam LaRoche walked, Desmond blasted his 20th of the season.

Two batters later, Wilson Ramos singled off of Carlos Torres and Taylor followed with his first career home run for a 7-0 lead.

Campbell's pinch-hit sacrifice fly in the eighth got the Mets on the board.

Game Notes

Washington center fielder Denard Span went 0-for-5 and had a streak of 36 games reaching base safely broken ... Washington has won eight of the 10 games against New York this season ... Fister's last game was against the Mets as he gave up just one unearned run over 7 1/3 innings last Wednesday.