Nationals 5, Mets 2: Gio Gonzalez matched a career high with his 16th win and rookie Bryce Harper and Danny Espinosa each homered for the second time in the series as host Washington took two of three from New York.

Harper ripped an RBI triple and Ryan Zimmerman plated him with a run-scoring single in the third inning for the Nationals, who moved five games ahead of Atlanta in the NL East. The Braves, who dropped a 5-0 decision to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, will visit the nation's capital on Monday to begin a three-game set with Washington.

Gonzalez (16-6), who set his career high last season with Oakland, pulled even with Tampa Bay's David Price and Cincinnati's Johnny Cueto for the major-league lead. Gonzalez allowed one run on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings before two relievers bridged the gap to Tyler Clippard, who recorded his 27th save.

Espinosa gave Washington a quick 2-0 lead in the second inning after he deposited a curveball from rookie Jeremy Hefner (2-5) over the left-center field wall. The blast was Espinosa's 14th of the season - and second off Hefner.

Harper belted his 12th homer by lining an offering from Hefner off the facing of the second deck in right field.

Hefner fell to 0-3 versus Washington after yielding five runs on eight hits in five innings.

Scott Hairston, David Wright and Justin Turner collected two hits apiece. Kelly Shoppach had an RBI single and Ike Davis scored on Jason Bay's groundout for the Mets, who fell for the ninth time in 13 games overall and 11th time in 15 outings versus the Nationals.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Gonzalez is the first Nationals pitcher to collect 16 wins since the franchise relocated from Montreal prior to the 2005 season. Javier Vazquez won 16 games with the Expos in 2001. ... The game was delayed by 2 hours and 26 minutes due to rain. ... Washington SS Ian Desmond, who went 0-for-4, is hitless in 11 at-bats since coming off the disabled list. ... Ronny Cedeno recorded his 17th career triple - and first with the Mets - in the fourth inning. ... New York will return home to begin a four-game series versus Colorado on Monday.