Zimmermann pounded for three homers, Nats lose 5-2

FLUSHING, N.Y. - Anthony Rendon wasted no time giving the Nationals offense a much-needed early spark. Rendon drilled a 98-mph heater from Mets starter Noah Syndergaard to straightaway center for a solo homer with one-out in the first. The umpires initially ruled that the ball stayed in the park, but after a brief crew chief review, the call was overturned and Rendon was awarded his first home run of the season.

Update: Jordan Zimmermann breezed through the first two innings before issuing a leadoff walk to Kevin Plawecki in the third. After retiring Syndergaard on a sacrifice and Ruben Tejada on a line out, it appeared Zimmermann might escape the inning without any damage.

He wasn't so lucky as Curtis Granderson crushed a hanging curveball off the facade in right for a two-run homer. Seconds later, Daniel Murphy smashed a first-pitch fastball into the upper deck in right.

Yoenis Cespedes followed with a single to left bringing last night's star Lucas Duda to the plate. Duda jumped on a 94-mph heater, yanking it down the right field line for another two-run shot.

It's the first time since 2007 the Mets have hit three homers in an inning.

Meanwhile, Rendon's first-inning homer remains the Nats' only hit of the night.

Update II: Yunel Escobar clubbed a solo blast over the fence in left-center to cut the Mets' lead to three in the sixth. It was Escobar's sixth homer of the season.

Update III: Zimmermann battled back after the third to throw three scoreless frames. He allowed five runs on six hits with two walks and seven strikeouts over six innings. Zimmermann threw 95 pitches.

Left-hander Felipe Rivero held the Mets in check in the seventh.

Update IV: Mets right-hander Tyler Clippard finished off the Nats in the ninth.

The Mets beat the Nationals 5-2.