Nationals 2, Mets 0: Ryan Zimmerman set a franchise record with an RBI in his ninth straight game and John Lannan pitched into the sixth as visiting Washington completed a three-game sweep.

The Nationals continued closing in on the National League East title, extending their lead to 8 1/2 games over second-place Atlanta and reducing their magic number to 11. Washington has won 12 of its past 15 games.

The Mets lost for the seventh time in eight games and are 2-11 in their past 13 home contests.

Zimmerman’s 22nd homer of the season led off the fourth inning and extended his hitting streak to 16 games. It was the only blemish on the night for New York rookie Matt Harvey, who struck out 10 in five innings.

Lannan (3-0), who made 122 starts for the Nationals from 2008-2011, started for just the third time this season. Summoned to replace Stephen Strasburg in the rotation after the Nationals shut down their ace for the season last weekend, Lannan allowed five hits with one walk and two strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

Harvey (3-5) gave up five hits and the one run with three walks. He retired eight of the first 10 hitters he faced before Zimmerman hit the second pitch of the fourth over the fence in center.

Ian Desmond hit his 23rd homer of the season in the eighth for Washington, a solo shot to left. Desmond finished 2-for-3.

Washington reliever Sean Burnett allowed two baserunners in the ninth before Drew Storen got the final out for his second save.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Washington OF Michael Morse will miss the next few games with a bone bruise and slight tear of the sheath around his left wrist. … The Mets scratched 2B Daniel Murphy from the starting lineup with a sore back. His replacement, 2B Ronny Cedeno, left the game after five innings with tightness in his right hamstring. … New York 3B David Wright finished with two hits and two stolen bases. … Washington moved 35 games above .500 (89-54). … Nationals INF Danny Espinosa missed just his second game of the season Wednesday, leaving the team after the death of his grandmother.