Nats shut out Mets 1-0 for second straight day

FLUSHING, N.Y. - A sharp single from right fielder Bryce Harper moved left fielder Jayson Werth into scoring position with two outs in the first. First baseman Ryan Zimmerman then picked up his team-leading 16th RBI by flicking an offering from Mets starter Dillon Gee safely into right field to plate Werth.

For Harper, the single extends his career-best on-base streak to 19 games.

Right-hander Doug Fister surrendered singles to Mets right fielder Curtis Granderson and center fielder Juan Lagares to start the first but was able to work out of the jam, recording three straight outs.

Update: Fister has held the Mets scoreless through five innings, allowing just two hits since the first. His control is on point as he has struck out two without giving up a walk.

It looked like the Nats were going to get back on the scoreboard in the fourth when Zimmerman cracked a deep fly ball to left field. But Mets left fielder Michael Cuddyer drifted back, timed his jump and snatched the ball just before it cleared the wall above the 358-feet sign.

Denard Span's leadoff double in the fifth gave the Nats another strong scoring opportunity. Third baseman Yunel Escobar followed with a gound ball up the middle that left the Nats with runners at the corners and nobody out. But Gee stuck out Werth looking, Harper popped up and Zimmerman went down swinging as the Nats came away empty.

Update II: Nationals manager Matt Williams ended Fister's day in the seventh after the righty gave up a one-out double to Mets catcher Kevin Plawecki. Right-hander Tanner Roark came in to record the next two outs in order.

Fister pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing five hits with no walks and three strikeouts.

Lefty Matt Thornton is in to pitch the eighth as the Nats try to hold on.

Update III: Thornton walked pinch-hitter John Mayberry Jr. and Lagares in the eighth, and then a wild pitch moved them up with one out and Duda at the plate. Thornton came up big by getting Duda swinging.

Williams headed to mound calling for right-hander Aaron Barrett who was able to strike out Cuddyer on a nasty slider.

Closer Drew Storen pitched a perfect ninth to record his seventh save as the Nationals shut out the Mets 1-0 for the second straight day.