Flushing, NY (My Sportsbook) - Jesus Flores finished 3-for-4 with a two-run homer, three RBI and scored twice, as Washington routed the New York Mets, 8-1, in the final installment of a three-game set at Citi Field.

Austin Kearns homered among his two hits and scored three runs for the Nationals, who salvaged a game in the series and halted a three-game losing streak.

Alberto Gonzalez, Ronnie Belliard and Justin Maxwell all contributed two hits and an RBI for Washington, which picked up just its fourth win of the season and earned its first road victory.

"We know we were better than our record showed," said Nationals manager Manny Acta. "We know we've blown three or four games in the ninth inning.If we'd have had seven or eight wins by now things would be different."

Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann (2-0) allowed six hits and one run over 5 1/3 innings, striking out five with two walks.

Carlos Delgado tripled and drove in the only run for the Mets, who have dropped five of their last seven outings.

Oliver Perez (1-2) was charged in the loss for nine hits and seven runs over just 4 1/3 frames, walking three with three strikeouts.

Washington broke away for good with a four-run fifth inning.

Kearns lofted a one-out solo shot to center and the Nats led 5-1, then Flores singled and Gonzalez doubled. Perez exited for Casey Fossum, and after fanning Zimmermann, gave up a single to Maxwell which scored Flores; a throwing error on Mets third baseman David Wright caused a second run to come in.

Maxwell stole second then Belliard followed with a single up the middle to score him and the visitors went up 8-1.

Zimmermann allowed a one-out single to Ryan Church in the sixth before giving way to Mike Hinckley, who induced an inning-ending double-play grounder from Omir Santos.

Hinckley retired the side in order in the seventh, then Garrett Mock and Kip Wells recorded scoreless frames to end the contest.

The Mets had an early edge, as Carlos Beltran reached on a fielder's choice with one out in the home first, then scored when Delgado followed with a triple.

Kearns started the second with a double, made possible when Mets left fielder Daniel Murphy tripped in the outfield before the ball landed, then came home on a two-run shot to left by Flores.

Washington's lead stretched to 4-1 in the third on back-to-back RBI singles from Flores and Gonzalez.

"We won the series, that's the way we look at it," Delgado said. "It's not the kind of game we were hoping for. There's room for improvement but we still won the series."

Game Notes

Washington third baseman Ryan Zimmerman extended his hit streak to 15 games...Prior to the game, Mets utilityman Fernando Tatis received the Player's Choice 2008 National League Comeback Player award...The Nats begin a three-game set at Philadelphia on Monday, and the Mets welcome Florida for three also beginning Monday.