Desmond's homer pulls Nats into 1-1 tie (Nats win 6-3)

Ian Desmond led off the bottom of the second inning with a homer to left, pulling the Nationals into a 1-1 tie with the Mets.

Those early-season plate woes may finally be turning for the Nats shortstop. In his last seven games, Desmond is 8-for-23 (.348) with a triple, three homers and eight RBIs. That kind of punch comes in handy when you're missing the likes of Ryan Zimmerman, Adam LaRoche and Bryce Harper.

The Mets took a 1-0 lead against Jordan Zimmermann in the top of the inning. Lucas Duda doubled, moved to third on a Juan Lagares groundout and scored on Juan Ceteno's single to right.

The Nationals are trying to take their second series of the season against the Mets, against whom they are 4-1.

Update: Wilson Ramos hit a two-out, two-run double to the left-center gap, giving the Nats a 3-1 edge in the third.

With two down, Anthony Rendon singled and Jayson Werth reached on a debatable error charged to shortstop Ruben Tejada. Ramos followed by slamming a Zack Wheeler pitch to the gap to snap the tie.

Update II: Zimmermann is cruising and his last two innings have been the 1-2-3 variety. Through five innings, he's allowed a run on five hits, walked one and struck out one.

Update III: Ramos lined a two-run single with the bases loaded in the fifth to run his RBI count to four and increase the lead to 5-1.

Update IV: A two-run sixth has the Mets within 5-3 as we head to the last of the sixth. Lagares and Centeno had RBI singles, but Centeno ran himself into an out at second, trying to advance on the throw to third, and the rally ended. Zimmermann seems to be tiring with both lefty Jerry Blevins and righty Aaron Barrett getting warm in the bullpen.

Update V: Drew Storen came on for the seventh, dispatching the Mets in order. Zimmermann was charged with three runs on eight hits over six innings, with two walks and a strikeout.

Update VI: Ramos singled, stole second, went to third on Desmond's single and scored on a fielder's choice grounder by Kevin Frandsen, thanks to a nice takeout slide at second by Desmond.

No, you didn't read the previous sentence wrong. Ramos stole a base - the first of his major league career, no less. (Update: Looks like the official scorer ruled it a passed ball.)

It's 6-3 Nats heading to the top of the ninth.

Update VII: Rafael Soriano closes it out in the ninth and the Nats win 6-3 to take two of three from the Mets.