A seemingly unequal duel between the New York Mets and the Washington Nationals gave way to a three-game showdown that culminated in a 4-1 victory for the Big Apple representatives on Thursday at the Nationals. Park.

The Mets (22-11) are the best team in the National League since the start of the campaign, while the "Nats" (11-22) are already far in the standings in the Eastern Division. After a logical 4-2 loss on Tuesday, the underdogs responded with an 8-3 win the following day.

This third and final meeting, however, was the affair of the Mets starter Taijuan Walker (1-0). The 29-year-old Gunner stayed on the mound for seven innings, a high for him in four starts. He gave up just three hits and a walk before being replaced by Seth Lugo.

The Nationals had to wait until their ninth turn at bat to finally score a run. Juan Soto then sent Edwin Diaz's offering into the center field stands.

Mark Canha drove in three runs in the win and also crossed the plate once. In the first inning, he hit an arrow that just went over shortstop Dee Strange-Gordon's glove. In the ninth, his solo homer sealed the victory for the Mets.

The Orioles hold on

On the St. Louis side, the Baltimore Orioles also put aside the bitter 10-1 loss of the previous day by beating the Cardinals 3-2.

The Maryland team had a narrow escape as the "Cards" (17-14) began a late comeback after seeing the visitors take a 3-0 lead. Dylan Carlson hit a long ball in the seventh inning and Nolan Arenado allowed Tommy Edman to come and score on a sacrifice ball from the next assault.

The Orioles (14-18), who had benefited from the circuits of Jorge Mateo and Anthony Bemboom, as well as the simple payment of Cedric Mullins, had to rely on their pitchers at the very end of the meeting. Felix Bautista recorded the save by limiting his opponents to one hit in one and a third innings.

The win, however, went to Keegan Akin (1-0), while Steven Matz (3-3) added the backhand after going six and two-thirds innings on the mound.