WASHINGTON, April 24 (UPI) -- Felipe Lopez hit a grand slam homer in the sixth and tied his career best with six RBI Thursday, carrying the Washington Nationals past the New York Mets 10-5.
Washington downed the Mets for the first time in five tries this year, producing 10 runs in a three-inning span. The Nationals won for only the fourth time in 20 games.
The victory went to Michael O'Connor (1-0), who threw one inning in relief of Shawn Hill.
Oliver Perez (2-1) took the loss, coughing up six hits and five runs over 5 2/3. Perez came into the game having not allowed a run in three of his four starts this season.
Carlos Beltran and Marlon Anderson both hit solo homers for the Mets, who took an early 3-0 lead only to lose for the fourth time in five outings.
Washington tied the game with a three-run fifth that featured a two-run single by Lopez.
Lopez delivered his grand slam one inning later and the Nationals produced a three-run seventh, during which Wil Nieves, Johnny Estrada and Christian Guzman had RBI singles.
