Nationals 5, Mets 1: Visiting Washington took advantage of a third-inning error, scoring three unearned runs on homers by Kurt Suzuki and Ryan Zimmerman to give Gio Gonzalez his major league-leading 19th victory.

New York catcher Kelly Shoppach dropped Suzuki’s pop-up in foul territory leading off the third. Suzuki followed with his fourth homer of the season and Zimmerman’s two-run blast later in the inning, his 20th, gave the Nationals a 3-0 advantage.

Gonzalez (19-7) moved ahead of New York's R.A. Dickey for the most victories as the Nationals won for the 10th time in 13 games. Ian Desmond hit a two-run homer, his 22nd of the season, in the fourth as Washington extended its lead in the NL East to 6 1/2 games over Atlanta.

Gonzalez struggled with his command, walking five in six innings. But the left-hander allowed only three hits and struck out six, the only blemish coming on Scott Hairston’s 16th homer of the season leading off the fourth.

New York starter Collin McHugh (0-2) allowed five hits and five runs (two earned) in four innings. The Mets have lost five of their past six and have not scored more than three runs in their past 11 home games.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The teams combined for 10 hits, including four homers. … New York reliever Elvin Ramirez struck out four in two innings of relief. … Washington jumped past Milwaukee and into the NL lead for most homers since the All-Star break (78). … Gonzalez threw 104 pitches - 58 for strikes. … The Mets dropped to 30-39 at Citi Field. ... Dickey aims for his 19th victory in Tuesday's middle game of the three-game series.