The Mets rallied again in the ninth inning off Washington closer Tyler Clippard but came up short, dropping a 4-3 decision to the NL East leading Nationals on Tuesday in the nation's capital.

It was New York's season worst sixth-straight defeat as they sank to a full 8 games behind the Nats.

Adam LaRoche knocked a two-run dinger off Mets starter Chris Young, who fell to 2-4, after six innings of six-hit, two-run ball.

Washington's Stephen Lombardozzi drove in his team's other two runs with a two RBI double in the seventh.

Jordan Zimmerman allowed just four hits through six shutout innings to up his record to 7-6.

Andres Torres had an RBI single in the seventh put the Mets on the board. David Wright had three hits, including a solo blast in the ninth off Clippard, before Jason Bay picked up his second hit of the night with a solo-homer of his own.

New York will look to salvage the final game of the series in a matinee matchup Thursday afternoon with R.A. Dickey (12-1) on the hill against Gio Gonzalez (12-4).

More From WIBX 950