Nationals 3, Mets 0: Wilson Ramos belted a two-run homer in the seventh and Jordan Zimmermann tossed 6 2/3 solid innings as visiting Washington inched closer to winning its second National League East title in three years.

Ian Desmond had two hits and scored twice for the Nationals, who claimed three of four in the series and 13 of 16 meetings this season to reduce their magic number to four to winning the division title. Washington has a chance to win the NL East when it travels to second-place Atlanta to open a three-game series on Monday.

Wilmer Flores had two of the eight hits for the Mets, who were shut out for the 11th time this season and have dropped 14 of their last 15 home tilts versus the Nationals. New York fell 7 1/2 games behind Pittsburgh in the race for the second wild card with 12 to play.

Locked in a scoreless draw, Washington drew first blood as Desmond singled to lead off the seventh before advancing to second on Bryce Harper's sacrifice bunt. Ramos deposited a 1-1 fastball from Jonathon Niese (8-11) over the wall in right field for his 10th homer - and first since he went deep twice against Seattle on Aug. 29.

Zimmermann (12-5) matched a career high by winning his sixth straight decision after scattering six hits while striking out five. Desmond scored an insurance run in the ninth while Danny Espinosa was caught in a rundown and Drew Storen stranded two runners in scoring position in the ninth for his fifth save.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Washington 3B Anthony Rendon had a double to improve to 11-for-19 with two homers in the series. ... Nationals CF Denard Span had a single to extend his hitting streak to seven games. ... Niese fell to 0-3 against Washington this season despite permitting two runs on six hits in seven innings for New York, which opens a three-game set versus visiting Miami on Monday.