Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo homered Thursday while rookie Jonah Tong pitched five solid innings for the win as the New York Mets stopped the visiting San Diego Padres 6-1.

Tong (2-2) allowed only four hits and an unearned run while walking none and fanning a career-high eight in his fourth MLB start. Four relievers closed the game out as New York (79-74) upped its lead for the National League's final wild-card spot to two games over Arizona, and 2 ½ games over Cincinnati and San Francisco.

Randy Vasquez (5-7) was charged with four hits and four runs over 2 1/3 innings with a walk and three strikeouts as San Diego (83-70) dropped 2 ½ games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for first place in the National League West.

A four-run third inning gave the Mets their working margin. Cedric Mulli

See Full Page