WASHINGTON -- Reliable starter Tanner Roark threw seven scoreless innings and Wilson Ramos crushed a solo homer with one out in the seventh as the Washington Nationals beat the New York Mets 1-0 Wednesday, taking two of three games in the series.
The second-place Mets (77-69) are now 10 games back of the first-place Nationals (87-59) with 16 games left. The magic number for Washington to clinch the National League East is now seven.
Ramos, showing signs of life after a long slump, hit the first pitch he saw from reliever Fernando Salas (0-1) into the seats in center for his 21st homer.