By Associated Press - Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Michael Taylor hit a two-out, two-run single in the eighth inning, Danny Espinosa followed with an RBI double and the Washington Nationals rallied from three runs down to beat the New York Mets, 4-3, on Wednesday.

In danger of having their lead over the Mets in the National League East cut to one game, Taylor drove in the Nationals’ first run in the fourth with a single off Noah Syndergaard to make it 3-1.

After a wild pitch from Bobby Parnell (1-1) put runners on second and third in the eighth, Taylor ripped a full-count fastball to left to tie it. Taylor then stole second base before Espinosa put Washington (51-42) in position to take two of three from the Mets (49-46) and open a three-game lead in the division.

Drew Storen struck out the side in the ninth for his 29th save. Matt Thornton (1-0) pitched the eighth for the win.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit a two-run double and Kevin Plawecki an RBI single in the fourth to give the Mets a 3-0 lead against Jordan Zimmermann.

Zimmermann allowed seven hits and three runs in seven innings. He struck out six without a walk.

The Nationals got one back in the bottom half, when Ian Desmond, who reached base all four times, singled and scored on Taylor’s two-out hit.

Washington still stranded 10 runners from the second through the seventh innings.

Syndergaard gave up five hits and a run in five innings. He walked five and struck out four.

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