WASHINGTON _ It has been easy to focus on Daniel Murphy, and the way he has channeled bitter exes everywhere by pummeling his former team, the Mets. With a bat in his hands, the Nationals' MVP candidate has elevated revenge into an art form.
In the Nationals' 1-0 victory over the Mets on Wednesday, Murphy ensured the clean sweep, his first-inning single giving him at least one hit in each of his 19 games against the Mets this season.
But the deciding hit belonged not to Murphy but to another accomplished Mets-killer, Wilson Ramos. It was Ramos' solo shot in the seventh off reliever Fernando Salas that sent the Mets away from Nationals Park with losses in two of their last three games.
The loss was not as damaging as it could have been for the Mets. Both the Cardinals and Giants, who are also contending for the two NL wild-card spots, lost their games Wednesday afternoon.
Ramos' homer was his 21st of the season and his 12th against the Mets in his career. It is the most homers he has against any opponent. His latest blast provided the only offense on an afternoon tailor-made for pitchers.
The 4 p.m. start time created shadows that at first pitch shielded only the area at home plate, leaving the rest of the playing field awash in sun.
Nationals starter Tanner Roark (15-8) extended what has been a fine season, tossing seven shutout innings to lower his ERA to 2.75. Though he walked four, Roark limited the Mets to three hits.
In the first inning, Roark turned away the Mets' best chance to score, freezing Jay Bruce on a 93-mph fastball with one out and the bases loaded. T.J. Rivera flied out to end the inning, and Roark cruised from there.
Mets righty Robert Gsellman continued his strong work as a fill-in for the banged-up starting rotation. He nearly matched Roark, allowing five hits during 5 2/3 scoreless innings. He benefited from three double plays. But it wasn't enough for the Mets, who missed a chance to pad their half-game lead over the Cardinals for the second wild card.
