Colon implodes in Mets’ loss to Nats

NEW YORK (AP) -- Adam LaRoche and Anthony Rendon had two-run homers off Bartolo Colon, who was ejected after hitting the following batter both times, and the Washington Nationals beat the New York Mets 6-2 Thursday night for their 12th straight win at Citi Field.

Washington opened its NL East lead to 8 1/2 games over second-place Atlanta, and the Nationals lowered their magic number to nine for clinching their second division title in three seasons. Washington improved to 26-4 at Citi Field since September 2011, outscoring the Mets 156-68 and outhomering them 49-18 in that span.

New York had entered with four straight wins, tying its season high, and a 19-inning scoreless streak by its pitchers. But the Mets were sloppy from the start.

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