Washington rallies, stuns Mets, 4-3

Washington rallied for three runs in the eighth to stun the New York Mets, 4-3, in a Wednesday matinee at Nationals Park.

The Nats trailed 3-1 entering the bottom of the eighth, but tied the score at 3-3 on a two-out, two-strike, two-run single by Michael A. Taylor.

Taylor then stole second before scoring on a double by Danny Espinosa off Mets reliever Bobby Parnell (1-1, 2.70 ERA), who saw his earned-run average balloon from 0.73 entering the game after giving up three earned runs in his inning of work on Wednesday.

The rally made a winner of Matt Thornton (1-0, 1.93 ERA), who pitched a scoreless inning of relief in the eighth. Drew Storen recorded his 29th save with a dominant ninth in which he struck out the side in order.

Jordan Zimmerman got a no-decision in seven innings of work, giving up three runs on seven hits, striking out six without issuing a walk.

Washington (51-42) opens up a three-game lead on the Mets (49-46) with the series win.