WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- A solo home run by Michael Tucker in the top of the eighth inning Sunday afternoon helped the New York Mets beat Washington, 3-1.
Tucker's first homer as a Met broke a 1-1 tie and proved to be the game-winning RBI.
Jose Valentin added a sacrifice fly in the ninth, and the Mets scored a run in the seventh on a throwing error by Washington's Marlon Anderson. The Mets (71-45) have won seven of their last eight games.
The winner was reliever Chad Bradford (4-2). Billy Wagner notched his 28th save.
Alfonso Soriano hit the 200th homer of his career; while Anderson, Ryan Zimmerman and Brian Schneider each had two hit for the Nationals (51-66), who have lost three of their last four games.
In relief, the losing pitcher was Jon Rauch (3-3).
