Nationals 6, Mets 3: Jayson Werth homered for the second straight contest and Jordan Zimmermann labored through five-plus innings to become the first 17-game winner in the National League as visiting Washington notched its fourth straight victory.

Adam LaRoche also went deep to lead off the second inning and Werth added an RBI double in the third among his three hits. Former Met Scott Hairston provided insurance with a pinch-hit two-run homer in the ninth inning for the Nationals, who have won six of seven and trail Cincinnati by six games in the race for the second wild card.

Justin Turner had an RBI single in the fourth inning and Matt den Dekker slapped a two-run single in the sixth to bring the Mets within one at 4-3. The rookie's line drive to center also chased Zimmermann (17-8), who posted his first victory in five outings against New York this season after allowing three runs on eight hits.

After belting five homers in the series opener, Washington wasted no time flexing its muscle on Tuesday. Werth deposited a belt-high fastball from Dillon Gee (11-10) over the wall in left-center field for a two-out homer in the first inning and LaRoche did the same in the second.

Wilson Ramos plated Werth with a two-out RBI single in the sixth inning to give Washington a 4-1 lead. After den Dekker's hit trimmed the deficit, four relievers combined to send the Mets to their seventh loss in nine outings - with Rafael Soriano retiring the side in the ninth for his 40th save.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Washington CF Denard Span extended his hitting streak to 21 games with a double in the third inning. ... New York ace Matt Harvey will receive a second opinion on his ailing right elbow from noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews on Monday. ... Gee fell to 4-2 against the Nationals this season after permitting four runs on nine hits in 6 1/3 innings. ... Washington SS Ian Desmond was foiled in his bid to secure back-to-back 20-homer, 20-stolen base seasons when he was thrown out at second in the sixth inning.