Ramos, Zimmermann lead Nats to 3-0 win over Mets

NEW YORK (AP) — The Washington Nationals won with Jordan Zimmermann on the mound for a ninth straight start, getting a two-run homer from Wilson Ramos in the seventh inning of a 3-0 victory over the New York Mets on Sunday.

Zimmermann allowed six hits and a walk in outpitching Jonathon Niese for 6 2-3 innings, helping Washington reduce its magic number for winning a second division title in three years to five.

Drew Storen gave up two hits in the ninth but got Juan Lagares to fly to right, finishing the eight-hitter for his fifth save.

Washington's ninth win in 10 games this season at Citi Field eliminated the Mets from the division race with 12 games to go. New York had won eight of 10 before the Nationals took three of four in this series.

Zimmermann (11-5) hit two batters to up the total hit batsmen in the four-game series to nine, one shy of the record set last year in a series between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, according to STATS. The right-hander nailed Eric Young Jr. and Lucas Duda but still won his sixth consecutive decision.

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