MLB: Washington 6, N.Y. Mets 5

NEW YORK, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Ryan Zimmerman and Josh Bard each hit two-run homers Friday and Washington held on for a 6-5 win over the New York Mets.

Zimmerman's homer, his 30th, staked Washington to a 2-0 lead with one out in the top of the first.

Bard's homer made it 4-2 in the fifth.

Josh Willingham had two hits, one a solo homer, while Elijah Dukes added two hits for the Nationals, who had lost three in a row.

The winner was starter J.D. Martin (5-4). After giving up three runs in the bottom of the ninth, closer Mike MacDougal earned his 16th save.

New York's Carlos Beltran had two hits and two RBI.

Angel Pagan and David Wright had one RBI each.

A run scored on Ian Desmond's ninth-inning throwing error, while Jeff Francoeur had three of the 11 hits for the Mets, who have lost six in a row.

The losing pitcher was starter Mike Pelfrey (10-11).