NEW YORK (AP) — Brandon Nimmo hit a bases-clearing double to spark a five-run fifth inning, David Peterson threw six scoreless innings and the the New York Mets moved into playoff position with a 7-0 victory over the Washington Nationals on Thursday, completing a three-game sweep.
J.D. Martinez and Pete Alonso added RBI singles as the Mets moved two games over .500 for the first time since April 24. Mark Vientos and Harrison Bader had RBI singles in the eighth and New York (47-45) moved one percentage point (.511) ahead of San Diego into the NL’s third wild-card spot.
New York also completed its seventh sweep this season and is 23-12 since being swept by the Dodgers in a doubleheader on May 29 that necessitated a players-only meeting.
Peterson (4-0) allowed four hits and worked out of trouble at times while combining with four relievers on New York’s first shutout of the season. Peterson struck out five and walked three.
The Mets were held hitless until Martinez doubled in the fourth. Consecutive walks to Jeff McNeill and Francisco Lindor in the fifth loaded the bases for Nimmo, who was denied a double by rookie left fielder James Wood in the first.
Nimmo gave the Mets a 3-0 lead when he lined a 96.6 fastball off Washington starter MacKenzie Gore (6-8) to the warning track in left-center field as the ball fell in between Wood and center fielder Lane Thomas.
Nimmo scored on a headfirst slide on Martinez’s double off Dylan Floro. The Mets took a 5-0 lead when Martinez scored before Alonso was thrown out at second attempting to stretch his hit into a double.
Gore allowed four runs and three hits in 4 2/3 innings.
The Nationals dropped their fifth straight and lost for the 16th time in 23 games to fall a season-high 10 games under .500.
Washington stranded 13 and went 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position. Before the Mets went ahead, the Nationals left two on in the first, third and fifth and also left the bases loaded in the eighth and ninth.
WELCOME TO NEW YORK
Phil Maton struck out two in a 1-2-3 seventh after in his debut being acquired from Tampa Bay on Tuesday. Maton did not throw a pitch over 88.8 mph and became the 30th pitcher to appear for the Mets this season.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mets: RHP Reed Garrett (elbow inflammation) had his MRI examined by multiple doctors but it was not fully read. … RHP Kodai Senga (right shoulder) will throw 60 to 65 pitches in his next rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Syracuse.
UP NEXT
Nationals: The Nationals did not announce a starter for the opener of a three-game series Friday in Milwaukee. RHP Freddy Peralta (6-4, 3.95 ERA) starts for the Brewers.
Mets: LHP Sean Manaea (5-3, 3.43) faces Colorado RHP Tanner Gordon (0-1, 7.11) in the opener of a three-game series Friday.
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