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WASHINGTON -- Doug Fister made quick work of the New York Mets, and thats one reason why his teammates on the Washington Nationals provided him with ample hitting support. Fister took a five-hit shutout into the eighth inning, Adam LaRoche homered twice and Danny Espinosa also connected as the Nationals cruised to a 7-1 victory Wednesday night. Fister (11-3) allowed one unearned run and six hits in 7 1-3 innings. He struck out seven and reduced his ERA to 2.49. In his first season with Washington, Fister has made a positive impression with his new team by working rapidly and going after opposing hitters. The technique confounded the Mets and provided the Nationals with plenty of time to take their hacks against New York starter Jonathon Niese (5-8). "Its no coincidence that I feel like a lot of runs get scored when Doug pitches," LaRoche said. "I think its a matter of really quick innings. Hes pitching to contact, guys are on their toes, and theres a lot of action. Seems like when hes pitching, were out there for 30 minutes on defence and spend two hours in the dugout." The Mets, who had faced Fister only once previously, seemingly werent prepared for his rapid-fire style. "He works real quick, throws a lot of strikes, doesnt walk anybody," New York manager Terry Collins said. LaRoche hit a two-run drive in the first inning and a solo shot in the eighth, his 23rd career multihomer game. Espinosa went deep with two on in the sixth and Anthony Rendon hit two doubles to help NL East-leading Washington increase its lead over sputtering Atlanta to four games. Niese gave up a season-high six runs on eight hits in six innings. It was only the second time in his last 25 starts the left-hander yielded more than three earned runs. Niese is 0-4 with a 5.76 ERA in four starts since coming off the disabled list with a left shoulder strain. "It seemed like when I didnt feel 100 per cent, thats when I was pitching best," Niese said. "My arm feels a lot better so Ive got to figure out how to pitch with that." Washington got all the offence it needed in a three-run first. Rendon doubled with one out, Jayson Werth hit an RBI single and LaRoche followed with his 14th home run. "Its certainly nice to get that," Fister said. "Ive still got to go out there, still got to put up a zero and get our guys back in to hit." In the sixth, Ian Desmond singled, Bryce Harper walked and Espinosa sent a 1-1 pitch over the left-field wall. It was his seventh home run of the season, the first since May 12. Fister left with two on and one out in the eighth with Washington up 6-0. Newcomer Matt Thornton gave up a two-out RBI single to Daniel Murphy. Washington leadoff hitter Denard Span singled in the third to extend his streak of games reaching via a hit or walk to 32. TRAINERS ROOM Mets: Collins said he expects RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (right elbow) to throw off a mound by next week and to make a rehabilitation appearance soon after that. Matsuzaka, who was placed on the disabled list July 26, is 3-3 with a 3.87 ERA. Nationals: Werth was pulled in the seventh with a shoulder strain. "Jaysons got a shoulder thats been bothering him a little bit. Tonight he was a little tight in his neck," manager Matt Williams said. UP NEXT Mets: Rookie Jacob deGrom (6-5) seeks to win his sixth straight start when New York and Washington meet Thursday afternoon to close out the three-game series. Nationals: Washington will start RH Jordan Zimmermann (7-5), who hasnt given up a home run at home in nine games since April 9. SCOREBOARD WATCHING Williams said he had too much to do as a player to be a scoreboard watcher. "I couldnt afford to. I wasnt good enough," he said. "I didnt have time for it." Hes not checking out the out-of-town scores now, either. "Theres no reason to see what anybody else is doing because were trying to take care of our business today," he said. "If we win today, the position that were in, there cant be any movement." Jay Bruce Jersey . New York then missed its next six shots and scored only two points the rest of the night. The Los Angeles Clippers defence and the Knicks general ineptitude both played a role in the unsurprising finish to a meeting of two teams headed in opposite directions. Juan Lagares Jersey .com) - Manchester City will face a steep test in the Champions League knockout stage as the English champions were drawn with Barcelona on Monday. http://www.metsrookiestore.com/Mets-Zack-Wheeler-Kids-Jersey/ .200. His solution to his hitting woes was business in the front and a party in the back."That would be a mullet," Norris says. Custom New York Mets Jerseys . 4 jersey of former defenseman Rob Blake this coming season. The ceremony will take place prior to the Kings January 17 game against Anaheim. Yoenis Cespedes Jersey . - The fiancee of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez is set to ask a judge to throw out allegations that she lied to a grand jury.OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain will miss at least the first six weeks of the regular season as he recovers from a bruised spinal cord. Baltimore placed the inside linebacker on the physically unable to perform list because he still is working his way back from the December injury. Ravens coach John Harbaugh said last week that Baltimore hasnt ruled out the possibility of McClain playing this year, but hes also made it cclear that McClain will not return to football until the MRI of his spinal cord is clear.dddddddddddd McClain has been a starter for the Ravens each of the last three years. He had 79 tackles in 13 games last season prior to his injury. NOTE: Olympic champion Michael Phelps was a guest at Baltimores practice Tuesday. The Baltimore native and avid Ravens fan has been a guest at practice in the past and frequently attends games. ' ' '