Mets Blanked By Nationals in Matinee Matchup

Stephen Strasburg outpitched Johan Santana for six innings in a marquee matchup of aces on the mend, and the Washington Nationals' bullpen made the lead stand up for a 4-0 victory over New York on the 50th anniversary of the Mets' first game.

Meeting in a blustery, chilly matinee, Strasburg (1-0) and Santana got off to an erratic start but settled into a duel between pitchers coming back from major arm operations.

Strasburg allowed just two hits in helping the Nationals take the final two games of the three-game series against their division rival with stellar pitching -- Ross Detwiler shut down the Mets on Tuesday night.

Santana (0-1) allowed only five hits in five-plus innings but his wild pitch gave Washington a 1-0 lead in the second.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)