The Mets scored six times in the third and opened a 7-1 lead, only to see the Nationals rally to tie it in the sixth.

A two-run single by Brian Schneider highlighted a four-run New York seventh, but Washington narrowed its deficit to a single run in the eighth. Wright then came through with his blast in the bottom half of the inning to give the Mets a three-run cushion and they held on to increase their lead over Philadelphia to 3 1/2 games in the National League East.

Wright touched off New York's six-run third with an RBI single. Fernando Tatis contributed a two-run double in the inning and Damion Easley had a two-run single.

Wright and Carlos Beltran combined for seven hits in nine at bats with five RBI and six runs scored.

The win went to Joe Smith (5-3), the third of five New York pitchers. He allowed a walk and struck out one in 1 1/3 innings. Luis Ayala worked a perfect ninth for his seventh save.

Saul Rivera (5-6) gave up the four runs in the eighth to take the loss.