Zimmerman Hits 30th Homer, Nats Keep Mets on Losing Streak

Zimmerman, Dunn first pair of Nationals teammates to reach 30 home runs

Ryan Zimmerman hit his 30th homer, Josh Bard drove in three runs and the last-place Washington Nationals beat the free-falling New York Mets 6-5 on Friday night.

It is New York's longest losing streak since dropping six straight in September 2005, according to STATS LLC.

“The Mets, kind of like us, have had a disappointing year. But you see both clubs battling and you have to respect that,'' Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said. “They are down by four in the ninth and they had great at-bats. But it just got ugly.''

It sure did.

Bard and Josh Willingham also homered to help the Nationals end a three-game skid. Rookie right-hander J.D. Martin had another solid start, sending the Mets to their sixth consecutive loss and 10th in 11 games.

Zimmerman's first-inning shot barely cleared the wall in the right-field corner. He and Adam Dunn (37 homers) are the first pair of Nationals teammates to reach 30 home runs in the same season.

The only other duo in franchise history to do it was Brad Wilkerson and Tony Batista. They both hit 32 homers for the 2004 Montreal Expos.

“I never hit home runs before I got here,'' Zimmerman said. “It means something to me because it means I'm doing better each year and that obviously is going to help the team win. I think if you're going to be a No. 3 hitter, a middle-of-the-lineup hitter, then that's what you're supposed to do.''

New York rallied for three runs in a wild ninth inning and had runners at second and third when Jeff Francoeur hit a comebacker that knocked Mike MacDougal's glove off his hand. With his mitt on the ground in front of him, the reliever picked up the ball barehanded and lobbed a shaky throw to first for the final out.

Francoeur, who had three hits and a stolen base, tossed down his helmet in anguish.

“It's been that kind of season,'' Mets manager Jerry Manuel said.

New York (63-85) dropped 22 games below .500 for the first time since finishing 66-95 in 2003.

Notes: MacDougal has pitched more than one inning for a save five times this season. ... Zimmerman's homer also gave him a career-best 100 runs scored. He leads the team in that category. ... Attendance appeared to be considerably less than the paid crowd announced at 38,063.  

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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