Clint Robinson and Ian Desmond hit back-to-back home runs, Jordan Zimmermann pitched seven innings and the Washington Nationals beat the Miami Marlins, 5-1, on Saturday night.
The Nationals pulled within 5 1/2 games of first-place New York in the National League East. The Mets dropped their second consecutive game against the Boston Red Sox, 3-1, earlier in the day, marking the first time the Nationals gained ground on New York since Aug. 19.
Ryan Zimmerman also hit a home run for the Nationals.
Zimmermann (11-8) won his third consecutive start. He gave up a run and seven hits, while striking out four and walking one.