MLB: N.Y. Mets 9, Washington 3

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Home runs by Brian Schneider and Carlos Delgado Thursday helped the New York Mets down Washington 9-3 -- the Nationals' seventh straight loss.

Schneider smacked a drive over the centerfield wall in the fifth-inning, putting the Mets ahead 4-0. Delgado hit a solo homer in the sixth and finished with two RBI in the Mets' sixth win in eight games.

Winner Oliver Perez struck out eight Nationals in 6 2/3 innings. Perez allowed three runs and six hits.

Pete Orr hit a two-run triple for Washington.

Collin Balester (2-5) took the loss, surrendering five runs over six innings.