Washington rookie Steve Lombardozzi made his first major-league hit a big one, driving in the eventual winning run to help the Nationals beat the New York Mets 3-2 Monday in the opener of a four-game series at Citi Field.

The Nationals have won back-to-back games for the first time since Aug. 21-22, while the Mets have lost five of six during their nine-game homestand.

Lombardozzi was 0-for-15 until he lined a single through the left side to plate Brian Bixler and make it 3-2 in the seventh. The Nationals' bullpen made the run stand, working 3 1/3 hitless innings in relief of starter Ross Detwiler.

Initial reliever Todd Coffey (5-1) recorded one out to collect the victory. Tyler Clippard's two innings bridged the gap to Drew Storen, who closed it for his 35th save.

Detwiler bounced back from an awful start against the Mets on Sept. 2. He held New York to two runs on three hits over 5 2/3 innings to win for the first time since Aug. 22.

Mets starter R.A. Dickey (8-12) had his streak of three straight victories snapped despite extending his streak of quality starts to 10. He allowed three runs (two earned) over seven innings and struck out seven.

Mets shortstop Jose Reyes, who entered the day with a one-point lead over Milwaukee's Ryan Braun in the National League batting race, went 0-for-4 to lower his average to .329. Braun, who was off Monday, is hitting .331.