(Photo credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images)

Clay Holmes threw six scoreless innings Tuesday night for the struggling New York Mets, who rolled to an 8-0 victory over the visiting Washington Nationals in the opener of a three-game series between the National League East rivals.

Bo Bichette homered leading off the first and Juan Soto's two-run blast closed out a seven-run fourth-inning outburst for the Mets, who are just 3-15 since Apr. 8 -- a span in which they've been outscored 87-47.

Three players had a hit apiece the Nationals, who have lost seven of 11.

Holmes (3-2) gave up three hits and one walk while striking out six. The Nationals got their only runner into scoring position in the second, when Holmes escaped a two-on jam by striking out Luis Garcia Jr.

Tobias Myers tossed two hitless innings before Craig Kimbrel struck out the side in a perfect ninth.

Bichette was the only Mets player to reach base in the first three innings against Zack Littell (0-4), who retired eight in a row following Bichette's homer before he walked the third baseman in the third.

MJ Melendez singled with one out in the fourth and Mark Vientos and Brett Baty walked. Melendez and Vientos then scored when third baseman Jorbit Vivas misplayed Marcus Semien's grounder.

Carson Benge laced a two-RBI single on the next pitch and Ronny Mauricio singled before Benge trotted home on Bichette's long fly to right. Soto chased Littell with his second homer of the season and his first since Apr. 1.

Benge had two hits -- his third multi-hit effort in his last four starts. The rookie outfielder had multiple hits just once in his first 21 games (19 starts).

Littell allowed the eight runs (four earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out one over 3 2/3 innings. He has given up 24 runs (18 earned) over just 13 2/3 innings in his last three starts.

--Field Level Media