Mets strengthen their division lead with sixth straight win 

That long ball was all either team would put on the board until New York added one more off a Brandon Nimmo solo shot in the fifth. While his home run was an insurance at the time, it proved to be necessary and the game-winning hit. 

Nimmo's home run was his third in two days after blasting two as part of New York's 5-0 win on Wednesday. He has 13 dingers overall in 2025 and 37 RBI in 65 games.

Then in the ninth, one of the four relievers who threw for New York, Ryne Stanek, gave up three runs (two earned) off three hits in a late comeback effort by Washington. 

Kodai Senga earned the win, his seventh, after 5.2 innings of work. Senga struck out five Nationals and only allowed two base runners — one hit and one walk.

Senga's day would end prematurely after suffering a hamstring injury while fielding first base. He will likely spend time on the injured list.

The 45-24 Mets now hold a 14.5 game lead over the Nationals, who sit in third place in the division at 30-38, while also 5.5 games ahead of Philadelphia. 

New York has won six in a row and eight of its last 10 games, with an interleague series against the Tampa Bay Rays on deck.