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Niese, Mets shut out Nationals

May 19, 2011 - 3:34 AM Flushing, NY (Sports Network) - Jon Niese pitched seven shutout frames and the Mets mustered just enough offense to down the Washington Nationals, 3-0, in the first of a two-game midweek series at Citi Field.

Niese (3-4) pounded the strike zone, throwing just 40 of his 112 pitches for balls, striking out seven with just one walk and six hits in a sterling performance.

Francisco Rodriguez pitched the ninth to finish New York's first shutout of the season and its second victory in three games. Jose Reyes finished 3- for-4 with two runs scored, and Justin Turner's two-run sixth-inning double provided some breathing room.

"To see my name in the lineup makes it easier. You always want to take advantage," said Turner.

Tom Gorzelanny (2-3) pitched fairly well in defeat, surrendering three runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts and five walks over 5 2/3 frames. Mike Morse was the only National with more than one hit, finishing 2-for-4 as the club saw its two-game winning streak come to an end.

"We feel like we are going to get it going. Niese was really good tonight," said Washington manager Jim Riggleman.

The Mets threatened right out of the starting gates with Reyes' single followed by Turner's double. After a Carlos Beltran strikeout, Jason Bay skied an 0-1 changeup to Morse in left. Morse's throw was fielded by catcher Wilson Ramos, who in turn fired to Danny Espinosa to nab Turner after Reyes crossed the plate with the game's first run.

The Nationals got a runner to third with one out in the second, but failed to score, and the Mets' Scott Hairston hit a one-out double in the home fourth but was stranded there.

Neither team scored after the first frame until the Mets mounted a charge during a steady rain in the sixth. Hairston legged out an infield hit then tagged and scampered to second on a fly ball to left. After a strikeout, Washington decided to walk Reyes with a runner in scoring position, which proved to be the wrong decision. Turner followed with long drive that landed at the rim of the warning track in right-center field and one-hopped the wall for a two-run double and a three-run lead.

Game Notes

Gorzelanny faced the Mets for the third time this season, giving up a total of 10 runs in 17 1/3 innings. The loss snapped his four-start unbeaten streak...Morse clubbed his third double of the season in the loss...Turner registered his fourth and fifth doubles...Rodriguez recorded his 13th save of the season...The Mets have won four of the seven meetings between these two teams this season.