Rookie Ian Desmond homered and Washington scored the winning run on an error in the eighth Tuesday to beat the New York Mets 4-3. J.D. Martin went six innings for Washington, allowing three runs on seven hits.

Adam LaRoche contributed three hits and two RBI Wednesday to help carry the Atlanta Braves to a 5-2 decision over the New York Mets. The win came just hours after Atlanta Manager Bobby Cox announced he would retire following next season.

Ryan Zimmerman and Josh Bard each hit two-run homers Friday and Washington held on for a 6-5 win over the New York Mets. Zimmerman's homer, his 30th, staked Washington to a 2-0 lead with one out in the top of the first. Bard's homer made it 4-2 in the fifth. Josh Willingham had two hits, one a solo homer, while Elijah Dukes added two hits for the Nationals, who had lost three in a row. The winner was starter J.D.

Ronny Paulino hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the fifth Wednesday and Josh Johnson fanned seven over six innings, leading Florida past the New York Mets 5-3. Johnson (13-3) improved to 7-0 lifetime against the Mets, giving up three runs on nine hits without a walk.

Mike Pelfrey allowed six hits in six innings Friday, and New York got three scoreless innings from its bullpen in the Mets' 4-2 win over Philadelphia. The division-leading Phillies ended their four-game winning streak. Jeff Francoeur went 3-for-4 and hit a solo homer, helping the Mets end a two-game skid. Pelfrey (9-8) gave up the pair of runs on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts.