Wheeler picks up first victory since April

NEW YORK — Zack Wheeler won for the first time since April 29, Michael Conforto homered and the New York Mets defeated the Washington Nationals, 7-4 on Saturday.

Wilmer Flores, Jose Reyes and Kevin Plawecki each had two hits as the light-hitting Mets scored seven runs for the first time since June 24. New York came into the game last in the National League in batting average and was tied with San Diego for the third-fewest runs scored in the majors.

Wheeler (3-6) was brilliant for seven innings before tiring in the eighth in his longest outing since June 19, 2014. He struck out seven and allowed just one hit through the first five innings. The 28-year old righthander opened the season with a victory against Miami on April 11 and then defeated the Padres two weeks later. The victory snapped a 13-start winless streak and was Wheeler’s first victory at Citi Field this season, despite allowing just 10 earned runs over his last 372⁄3 innings at home.

New York roughed up Austin Voth (0-1), who was making his major league debut. After a quiet first inning that included the 26-year old right-hander striking out Mets leadoff hitter Brandon Nimmo on three pitches, Voth ran into immediate trouble in the second. Flores singled to lead off the frame and moved to second on a Plawecki single. Voth was unable to help his own cause, pausing for too long after fielding Jose Reyes’ chopper to throw out the still speedy infielder. Amed Rosario remained hot, singling through the right side to score Flores with the first run of the game.

Wheeler lofted a sacrifice fly and Nimmo drove in a run with a groundout to give New York a three-run lead.

The Mets reached Voth for four in the fifth, three coming on Conforto’s first home run since June 26. Voth, who did not pitch in his two prior stints with Washington allowed all seven runs and struck out three. He was the fourth starting pitcher to make his major league against the Mets, but was the first to suffer a loss.

Jeurys Familia pitched a perfect ninth for his 17th save in 21 chances.