Seven-run Inning propels Nationals to Victory over Mets

Daniel Murphy #20 of the Washington Nationals scores on a double hit by Anthony Rendon #6 during the third inning of a game against the New York Mets at Citi Field on May 19, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

(May 19, 2016 - Source: Rich Schultz/Getty Images North America)

The Washington Nationals score seven runs in the third inning as they win at the New York Mets 9-1 in the rubber game of their three-game series.

The Nats set the tone in the first inning with a two-run two-out homer by 2B Daniel Murphy. LF Jayson Werth, who walked with one out, came home for the other run.

The Mets halved the deficit in the second inning with an RBI-single from SS Asdrubal Cabrera, driving in CF Yoenis Cespedes, but things went pear-shaped in the third.

CF Ben Revere started the inning off with a single and advanced to third base on a one-out single by RF Bryce Harper. The Mets decided to intentionally walk Daniel Murphy and load the bases after Bryce Harper stole second base.

1B Ryan Zimmerman stepped to the plate and hit a ground ball. It should have been an easy double play to end the inning. Instead, Asdrubal Cabrera fumbled the ball, Ryan Zimmerman reached first base and Ben Revere scored to give the Nationals a 3-1 lead.

Washington continued to score runs in pairs for the rest of the inning: 3B Anthony Rendon doubled and drove in Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy, C Wilson Ramos hit a single and batted Ryan Zimmerman and Anthony Rendon home and, after a single from SS Danny Espinosa, Ben Revere tripled and drove Wilson Ramos and Danny Espinosa home.

In this inning, the Nationals sent 11 batters to the plate and scored 7 runs on 6 hits.

New York’s SP Matt Harvey (3-6) lasted only 2.2 innings, surrendering 8 hits, 2 walks and 6 earned runs while striking out 2. His ERA and WHIP increased to 5.77 and 1.66, respectively.

SP Stephen Strasburg (7-0) pitched 6 innings, allowing 6 hits, 1 walk and 1 earned run while striking out 10. He now has a 2.80 ERA with a 1.08 WHIP.

Daniel Murphy went 2-for-4 with 2 runs, 1 HR and 2 RBI. He is batting .397 on the season and has 24 runs, 6 HR and 27 RBI.

The Washington Nationals (25-16) travel to the Miami Marlins (21-19) to play a three-game series from Friday to Sunday.

The New York Mets (22-18) host the Milwaukee Brewers (18-23) for a three-game series from Friday through Sunday.