Paolo Espino struck out a career-high seven while also singling and scoring a run for the first time in the majors, leading the Washington Nationals to a 2-1 win over the free-falling New York Mets on Friday night.
The loss was the 19th in 25 games this month for the Mets, who entered August atop the NL East but now trail divison-leading Atlanta by 8 1/2 games.
Only two players got beyond first base against Espino and four relievers. Francisco Lindor tripled with two outs in the first and was stranded when Javier Báez struck out.
Báez homered with one out in the fourth, after which 16 of the final 18 Mets batters were set down.
Espino (4-4) allowed three hits and walked none over five innings. His previous high of six strikeouts was set three times, most recently in his previous start against the Milwaukee Brewers last Saturday.
Kyle Finnegan walked Pete Alonso leading off the ninth before locking down his sixth save.
Rich Hill (6-6) took the loss. He gave up five hits and walked none with eight strikeouts in five innings.
