Nationals 5, Rays 2: Danny Espinosa delivered the tiebreaking two-run double as host Washington defeated Tampa Bay for the second consecutive night.

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez (9-3) allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings and stretched his streak of allowing three or fewer runs to 13 straight starts as the Nationals extended their National League East lead to 3 1/2 games over the New York Mets.

Five Washington relievers held Tampa Bay hitless over the final three innings with Tyler Clippard recording the final three outs for his 11th save in 12 opportunities.

Jesus Flores doubled with two outs in the sixth and pinch hitter Adam LaRoche was walked intentionally before Espinosa smashed a double into the right-field corner off Joel Peralta (0-3) to give Washington a 4-2 edge.

Roger Bernadina added a run-scoring single in the seventh to give the Nationals a three-run advantage.

The Rays struck first on a bases-loading single in the second by Desmond Jennings, and Washington took a 2-1 lead in the third on a sacrifice fly by Michael Morse and a run-scoring single by Ian Desmond.

Tampa Bay tied the contest at 2-2 in the sixth on a bouncing single up the middle by Sean Rodriguez.

Tampa Bay starter Matt Moore allowed two runs and three hits in five innings. He struck out six and walked four.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Peralta drew an eight-game suspension for Tuesday’s incident in which pine tar was found inside of his glove. He appealed the decision. … Espinosa was 3-for-20 over his last five games before going 2-for-4. … Washington reliever Sean Burnett pitched a perfect eighth and has allowed just three runs in 30 appearances. … Tampa Bay’s Will Rhymes struck out with the bases loaded to end the seventh to drop to 0-for-9 in his career in such situations.