Flushing, NY – Ryan Zimmerman and Ian Desmond each hit a solo homer to help the Washington Nationals complete a three-game sweep of the New York Mets with a 2-0 decision at Citi Field.
The Nationals swept the Mets at home for the second time this season and took 14 of 18 games overall in the season series.
"You can't take anyone lightly in this league," Zimmerman said. "For us to come in here and our guys throw the ball the way they threw the ball, score some runs and get out of here with three wins was good for us."
Making his first start since Aug. 3, John Lannan (3-0) took Stephen Strasburg's spot in the rotation and kept the Mets scoreless over 5 2/3 innings of work, helping Washington to its 12th win in its last 13 tries at Citi Field. He allowed just five hits and struck out two.
Drew Storen came on to record the final out in the ninth after Sean Burnett gave up singles to Lucas Duda and Andres Torres. With runners on the corners, Storen got pinch-hitter Daniel Murphy to fly out to center to earn his second save of the season.
Even though he posted double-digit strikeouts for the second time in his career, Matt Harvey (3-5) was given no run support and was charged with the loss. The rookie right-hander fanned 10 Nationals, one shy of his career high, but gave up Zimmerman's blast as one of five hits he allowed in five- plus frames.
"I felt good early and then I think I pressed to do too much," Harvey said. "That's a mistake that I regret and need to learn from."
After setting a franchise record on Tuesday for most consecutive home games without scoring more than three runs, New York extended its streak to 13 in Wednesday night's loss.
The Mets' best chance to score came in the bottom of the sixth. David Wright hit a one-out single and Lucas Duda drew a walk with two away. Christian Garcia came in to relieve Lannan and plunked Kelly Shoppach with his first pitch to load the bases. Ike Davis came in to pinch-hit for Jason Bay, but his deep fly ball was tracked down by Bryce Harper to end the inning.
Two innings later, Desmond led off the eighth with a homer to give the Nationals an insurance run. He finished 2-for-3 for the game.
Game Notes
The Nationals won for just second time since the All-Star break when scoring fewer than three runs ... Since Aug. 29, Washington has hit 36 home runs as a team ... The Mets have lost 22 of their previous 26 home games ... Wright extended his hitting streak to seven games.
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