Murphy’s hitting backs Wheeler in Met win

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Zack Wheeler allowed one run in 6 2-3 innings to win his fourth consecutive decision, and Daniel Murphy's two-run single helped the New York Mets beat the NL East-leading Washington Nationals 6-1 Tuesday.

Wheeler (7-8) gave up seven hits and allowed a run on a wild pitch, but he was good enough on a muggy night when the temperature was 85 degrees at first pitch. The righty went 3-8 with a 4.45 ERA in his first 16 starts, but is 4-0 with a 1.59 ERA in seven appearances since June 30.

When Wheeler was replaced after 109 pitches with a man on in the seventh, center fielder Juan Lagares ended the inning with a head-first diving catch of a sinking liner by Denard Span.

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