Nationals 3, Mets 0
NEW YORK -- Dan Haren allowed one hit over six innings Wednesday night and Ryan Zimmerman snapped a scoreless tie with a leadoff homer in the sixth inning and the Washington Nationals defeated the New York Mets 3-0 in front of an announced crowd of 20,151 at Citi Field.
The Nationals (76-69) tied a season high with their fifth straight win as they remained six games behind the Reds for the National League's second wild-card spot.
Two nights after they were one-hit by Gio Gonzalez, the Mets (64-80) collected just three hits against a quintet of Nationals pitchers. New York has lost eight of its last 10 and was officially eliminated from playoff contention with Wednesday's defeat.
Haren, who entered the game with a 5.23 ERA and had given up 12 runs in 5 2/3 innings over his last two starts, struck out eight and allowed just two runners. He walked Josh Satin with one out in the second and surrendered a leadoff single to Juan Lagares in the fourth.
It was the second time in 313 career starts that Haren has limited an opponent to a single hit. As a member of the Angels, he threw a one-hit shutout against the Indians on April 12, 2011.
Anthony Rendon went 2-for-4 and provided the Nationals a pair of insurance runs with a two-run double in the eighth.
Zimmerman, who homered for the seventh time in his last nine games, had two hits, as did Ian Desmond. Denard Span extended his hitting streak to a career-high 22 games by leading the game off with a single.
Xavier Cedeno, Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard combined for two innings of one-hit relief before Rafael Soriano notched his 41st save with a one-hit ninth.
Zack Wheeler took the hard-luck loss for the Mets after allowing one run on eight hits and one walk while striking out six over seven innings. Of the nine runners Wheeler allowed, seven were stranded in scoring position.
Lagares had two hits, including a bunt single in the ninth.
NOTES: The two teams lined up along their respective baselines for a 9/11 ceremony that included a moment of silence and a stirring national anthem by Alyssa Curcio, who was performing on behalf of the 9/11 family service organization Tuesday's Children. ... Mets 3B David Wright, who has been out since Aug. 5 with a Grade 3 strain of his right hamstring, ran the bases before the game. He hopes to return to action sometime next week. ... Mets IF Justin Turner missed the game and is expected to sit out Thursday as well with a strained right hamstring he suffered while scoring a run Tuesday night. ... Span's hitting streak is the second-longest in baseball this season behind Michael Cuddyer, who had a 27-game streak for the Rockies from May 28 through June 30. ... Nationals LHP Ross Detwiler (herniated disc in his back) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Wednesday afternoon. He is hopeful he can pitch in relief for Washington before the season is over.
