WASHINGTON (AP) -- Nationals center fielder Denard Span left in the third inning after making a diving, tumbling catch, and NL East champion Washington went on to a 4-2 victory over the New York Mets on Tuesday night.

New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals
Travis d'Arnaud of the New York Mets slides into third base at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. (Greg Fiume, Getty Images)
loading...

The win boosted the Nationals' push for home-field advantage during the National League playoffs. They began the day three games ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the league's best record with less than a week left in the regular season.

Span is a key player for the Nationals. A strong defensive presence and their leadoff hitter, he entered with the club's highest batting average at .298 and most stolen bases with 31.

The player who replaced him, rookie Michael Taylor, doubled home Washington's first run in the fifth.

(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM