Nationals top Mets, take weekend series

The Washington Nationals defeated the New York Mets, 3-2, on Sunday, taking three games of the four-game set between the NL East’s top two teams.

Daniel Murphy (.348/.397/.597, 17 HR, 66 RBI) hit his seventh homer against his former team, a two-run shot in the first inning.

Gio Gonzalez (5-8, 4.70 ERA, 1.40 WHIP) got the win for the Nats (54-36), giving up two runs on four hits in five and two-thirds innings, striking out three and walking four.

Tanner Roark (8-5, 3.01 ERA, 1.20 WHIP), pitching out of the bullpen with the All-Star break coming up, put up two and a third scoreless innings in relief.

Jonathan Papelbon (19 saves, 2.83 ERA, 1.19 WHIP) pitched around a two-out single to record the save.

The Nationals have a six-game lead on the Mets heading into the break.