Rivera’s home run lifts Mets past Nationals in 10 innings

WASHINGTON  — T.J. Rivera homered in the top of the 10th inning to lead the New York Mets to a 4-3 victory over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night.

The Mets pulled within nine games of Washington in the NL East and retained their hold on the second NL wild-card spot. New York has won eight of its last 10 and is 17-6 since Aug. 20, gaining 3 1/2 games on Washington in that stretch.

Rivera, who had three RBIs, drilled an 0-2 pitch with one out in the 10th into the left field seats off Nationals closer Mark Melancon (2-2). The loss snapped Washington's four-game winning streak.

Jeurys Familia (3-3) earned the victory despite surrendering two runs in the ninth to blow his fourth save of the season. Left-hander Jerry Blevins struck out Daniel Murphy for the final out to earn his first save.

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