WASHINGTON – Washington’s John Lannan limited New York to one hit over seven innings, Anderson Hernandez delivered a two-run single off a tiring Pedro Martinez, and the Nationals beat the fading-again Mets 7-2.

The Mets lost for the third time in four games, and their lead over idle Philadelphia in the NL East fell to a half-game. New York held a 31/2-game cushion as recently as Wednesday.

Lannan (9-13) gave up a double to Brian Schneider in the third – and that was it. Martinez (5-5) went six innings, allowing four runs and eight hits.

Dodgers 8, Pirates 2

PITTSBURGH – Hiroki Kuroda allowed three hits over seven shutout innings for his first road win in more than two months and Manny Ramirez had three more hits, leading the surging Los Angeles Dodgers past the Pittsburgh Pirates, 8-2.

With Juan Pierre homering for the first time in nearly two years, the Dodgers rebounded from a 1-0, 10-inning loss at Colorado on Sunday for their 13th victory in 15 games – a surge that has given them a five-game lead in the NL West over Arizona. The Diamondbacks, who met the Giants later Monday, led by 41/2 games on Aug. 29.

The Pirates swept three games from St. Louis over the weekend, but did nothing with Kuroda (9-10), who hadn’t won in six road starts since beating Houston 4-1 on July 2. Kuroda (9-10) permitted one runner to reach third and yielded only one hit, Nyjer Morgan’s double in the sixth, after the first.

Cubs 6, Astros 1

MILWAUKEE – Ted Lilly came close to following Carlos Zambrano’s no-hitter with one of his own.

Lilly pitched no-hit ball until Mark Loretta’s seventh-inning single, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Astros 6-1 to sweep a two-game series moved from Houston by Hurricane Ike.

With Milwaukee abuzz over the Brewers’ decision to fire manager Ned Yost, the Cubs finished off the two-game stand at Miller Park, filled with Cubs fans who made the 90-mile trek from Chicago. The Cubs improved to 6-0 in Milwaukee this season.

Yankees 4, White Sox 2

NEW YORK – Mariano Rivera moved into second place on the career saves list and the New York Yankees put a small crimp in Chicago’s postseason plans, beating the White Sox 4-2.

Beginning its final week at Yankee Stadium – barring an incredible playoff surge – New York got a two-run homer from Xavier Nady in the second inning and a tiebreaking double by pinch-hitter Wilson Betemit in the seventh.

The White Sox, who still lead the AL Central by 11/2 games over Minnesota, wasted six strong innings by Mark Buehrle and DeWayne Wise’s two-run shot off Alfredo Aceves. They arrived at their New York hotel about 4 a.m. following a doubleheader sweep of Detroit on Sunday night.

Indians 3, Twins 1

CLEVELAND – Scott Lewis pitched six shutout innings in his second career start and the Cleveland Indians beat the Minnesota Twins 3-1.

Lewis (2-0) has yet to allow a run in 14 innings since being called up from the minors Sept. 7. The left-hander allowed three hits and two walks, striking out five to keep the second-place Twins from gaining ground in the AL Central race.

Minnesota remained 11/2 games behind the Chicago White Sox and will play eight of its final 12 games in the division, where they are 39-25, including 10-6 against Cleveland.

Royals 3, Mariners 0

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kyle Davies matched a career high with eight strikeouts in eight innings and combined with closer Joakim Soria on a four-hitter, lifting the Kansas City Royals to a 3-0 victory over the struggling Seattle Mariners on Monday night.

Davies (7-7) worked quickly and efficiently against the Mariners, getting ahead in the count with fastballs, then dropping in curveballs and change-ups to keep them off-balance.

Soria worked a perfect ninth for his 38th save in 41 chances, giving the Royals their fourth straight victory.