WASHINGTON » Just about everyone else has been hitting well during the New York Mets’ winning streak. It was time for Josh Thole to join in on the fun.

Thole had only four RBIs on the season as the Mets prepared to open a six-game road trip last night. He promptly added three more, including a two-run double that put New York ahead for good in the sixth inning of a 6-4 victory over the Washington Nationals.

"I think he’s starting to get confident in his play," manager Terry Collins said. "He’s overachieved his whole life, his whole career. He’s one guy that tries, tries hard. We talked before the game about, ‘Hey, look, just play your game.’ He comes up with big hits and that’s what his career has been about."

The Mets have won five straight, their best streak since taking eight in a row from June 10-18 last season. They’ve moved within three games of .500 as they continue to recover from a dreadful start.

"A couple of weeks ago everybody was trying so hard. I guess you could use the phrase they were pressing a little bit," Collins said. "It’s amazing how all of a sudden things just start turning your way."

Thole’s first RBI was a mere groundout that scored Jason Bay, but it was enough to get him going. In the sixth, he got the better of Doug Slaten, who was brought on to create a lefty-lefty matchup. Thole hit a slider into the left-field corner to score Bay and Ike Davis, breaking a 3-3 tie.

"I needed it bad," Thole said. "For myself, just picking up the RBI in the (second) inning was a little bit of a confidence booster for myself. To be able to get the big hit and for Terry to stay with me was huge."

Chris Young pitched 42⁄3 innings, allowing three runs and four hits in his first start since returning from the disabled list with tendinitis in his right biceps.

"He started to run out of gas," Collins said. "Would have liked to have gotten another out of him."

Ryota Igarashi (1-0) pitched to only one batter, striking out Jayson Werth with men on second and third to end the fifth inning.