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June 21 (UPI) -- Veteran outfielder Kyle Schwarber turned around three fastballs for home runs to lead the Washington Nationals to a win over the New York Mets in a series finale at Nationals Park. Schwarber swatted the home runs in the first, fifth and seventh innings of the 5-2 victory Sunday in Washington, D.C. He went 3 for 4 with four RBIs and three runs scored.
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"When you step into the box and everything feels right, you already have a big advantage," Schwarber told reporters. "It's just a matter of trusting everything and not trying to do too much."
Schwarber hit two home runs in the Nationals' win over the Mets on Saturday at Nationals Park. He is 5 for 8 with five homers, eight RBIs and five runs scored over his last two games.
Nationals starter Patrick Corbin got out of the top of the first inning unscathed. Schwarber stepped up to the plate to lead off the bottom of the frame. He took two balls from Mets starter Taijuan Walker to start the at-bat. Walker then tossed in a 92.1-mph four-seam fastball.
Schwarber slammed the outside offering to left field for a 418-foot solo shot.
Mets outfielder Kevin Pillar responded with another solo home run to lead off the top of the second inning. Pillar's blast traveled an estimated 386 feet and tied the score.
First baseman Josh Bell hit an RBI single to center field in the bottom of the third inning to give the Nationals a 2-1 edge. Schwarber returned to the plate in the bottom of the fifth inning and provided some insurance with his second home run of the game.
That leadoff blast also came off Walker. The Mets starter fell behind 3-1 in the count. Schwarber fouled off the next three pitches.
He hit Walker's eighth offering of the exchange to right field for a 374-foot solo shot. The line drive traveled 112 mph off his bat, according to Statcast.
Mets first baseman Pete Alonso hit a 375-foot leadoff homer to start the seventh inning and cut the deficit to one run. Schwarber returned for his third home run of the game in the bottom of the inning.
Nationals center fielder Victor Robles grounded out to start the half inning. Pinch hitter Gerardo Parra reached base with a double in the next at-bat.
Schwarber stepped in to face Mets relief pitcher Jeurys Familia in the next exchange. He proceeded to hit an 0-1 Familia sinker to left field for a 379-foot, two-run homer.
Nationals relief pitcher Brad Hand retired Francisco Lindor, James McCann and Alonso in order in the top of the ninth inning to end the game and earn his 15th save of the season.
Corbin allowed four hits and two runs in six innings to earn his fifth win of the season for the Nationals. Walker allowed 10 hits and four runs in 6 1/3 innings to drop to 6-3 this season.
Nationals right fielder Juan Soto and third baseman Starlin Castro each went 2 for 4 in the victory.
The Nationals (33-36) face the Philadelphia Phillies in another National League East division series, which starts at 7:05 p.m. EDT Tuesday in Philadelphia. The Mets (36-29) host the Atlanta Braves at 5:10 p.m. EDT Monday at Citi Field in Queens.
