Nationals 7, Mets 1: Adam LaRoche homered twice and had three RBIs and Danny Espinosa smacked a three-run homer as host Washington coasted past New York.

Doug Fister (11-3) was charged with one unearned run in 7 1/3 innings to win for the sixth time in seven decisions. The right-hander struck out seven, gave up six hits and walked none as the Nationals moved four games ahead of the Atlanta Braves in the National League East.

Jayson Werth added an RBI single and scored a run and Anthony Rendon joined LaRoche in recording two hits. Mets starter Jonathon Niese (5-8) allowed six runs and eight hits in six innings.

Werth stroked a run-scoring single in the first inning and LaRoche followed by sending a 2-1 pitch from Niese over the wall in right to make it 3-0. Ian Desmond singled and Bryce Harper walked in the sixth before Espinosa deposited the ball over the fence in left to make it a six-run margin.

Daniel Murphy hit a ground single to right in the eighth off Matt Thornton to get New York on the board and LaRoche got the run back in the bottom of the inning with a homer to center. Fister has given up two or fewer runs in each of his last five outings.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Nationals CF Denard Span went 1-for-4 and has reached base in each of his last 32 games. … New York RF Curtis Granderson reached on a bunt single in the sixth and is 1-for-19 over his last six games. … Washington optioned RHP Blake Treinen to Triple-A Syracuse to open up a roster spot for Thornton, who was claimed off waivers from the New York Yankees on Tuesday.