Mets complete sweep of Washington, pull into tie in NL East

Jordan Zimmerman fell apart in a five-run third, and the New York Mets cruised from there, defeating the Washington Nationals, 5-2, to complete a three-game sweep that brings them into a tie for first place in the NL East.

Zimmerman (8-7, 3.54 ERA) ended up going six innings, giving up the five runs on six hits, striking out seven and walking two.

The third was his undoing. Curtis Granderson and Lucas Duda hit two-run homers, and Daniel Murphy hit a solo shot, to account for the five runs.

Anthony Rendon and Yunel Escobar each homered for Washington off Noah Syndergaard (6-5, 2.66 ERA).

Former Nats reliever Tyler Clippard pitched a scoreless ninth to record his 18th save.