Mets end drought, extend division lead

WASHINGTON -- Beating the Washington Nationals, 8-4, behind Mike Pelfrey’s good-enough start, David Wright’s three RBIs and a hobbled Moises Alou’s three hits not only ended the New York Mets’ five-game losing streak Wednesday night, it allowed the NL East leaders to breathe a collective sigh of relief.

About an hour later, their lead grew to 2 1/2 games atop the division with Philadelphia’s 10th-inning loss to St. Louis.

“It’s a big win for us. It’s a win when we needed one,” said Wright, who topped 100 RBIs for the third consecutive season. “It seemed like everything clicked for us.”

Pelfrey (3-7) gave up three runs in five-plus innings to win his third consecutive decision. Billy Wagner gave up an unearned run in the ninth.

Alou, nursing a left quadriceps injury, extended his hitting streak to 23, the NL’s longest this season.