Four Washington Nationals pitchers combined to hold the New York Mets to five hits, and the offense came to life in an 8-1 Nats win Monday night.
The W gives Washington (86-58) a commanding 10-game lead on the Mets (76-68) in the NL East, and reduces the Nationals’ magic number to clinch the division title to nine.
Mat Latos (7-2, 4.57 ERA, 1.45 WHIP) started, and gave up a run on three hits in four and a third innings, but didn’t last long enough to get the win.
Rookie Reynaldo Lopez (3-3, 5.01 ERA, 1.61 WHIP) was credited with the win, going three innings in relief, walking two, but holding the Mets hitless in his stint.
Latos (1) and Anthony Rendon (18) homered to key a four-run second that broke the game open for Washington.
Daniel Murphy (.348/.392/.600, 25 HR, 102 RBI) was 3-for-4 at the plate.