Harvey cools down Nats' offense in 4-0 loss

FLUSHING, N.Y. - So far, the blockbuster pitching matchup between Nationals ace Max Scherzer and Mets fireballer Matt Harvey is as advertised.

The Mets have yet to collect a hit against Scherzer through the first three innings. But the right-hander still found himself in some trouble in the third after he hit Mets second baseman Dilson Herrera and walked right fielder Curtis Granderson. But Scherzer got out of the inning when center fielder Juan Lagares chased a breaking ball for the third strike.

Scherzer also ended the second with back-to-back strikeouts on Mets third baseman Daniel Murphy and shortstop Wilmer Flores.

Rookie center fielder Michael A. Taylor is 2-for-2 against Harvey. He sliced a two-out double down the right field line in the third, but was stranded when third baseman Yunel Escobar grounded out to end the inning.

The only other Nats hit against Havey was a slow bouncer up the third base line from catcher Wilson Ramos.

Scherzer left the bat on his shoulder in his first plate appearance since jamming his thumb while hitting last Thursday. Harvey still took Scherzer to a full count before finally striking him out.

Update: The Mets' first hit of the day was a big one. Scherzer missed on a fastball out over the plate and left fielder Michael Cuddyer tagged it over the 380 feet sign in right center at Citi Field for a solo homer. It is the first home run allowed by Scherzer this season.

Murphy followed with a single to right, but Scherzer responded by striking out Flores and Herrera to end the inning.

Granderson lined a ball into left with two outs in the fifth and decided to test left fielder Jayson Werth's arm. It appeared as though Werth's throw beat Granderson to the bag but second baseman Dan Uggla couldn't get the tag down.

Lagares followed with a single to left and this time Granderson failed the test as he callenged right fielder Bryce Harper's arm to the plate. Ramos secured Harper's quick two-hop throw to the plate to nail Granderson and save a run.

Through five innings, Scherzer has given up just the one run on four hits with six strikeouts and one walk.

The Nats have managed only four hits off Harvey, with three strikeouts and a walk through six

Update II: Scherzer's night ended after seven. He allowed the solo homer to Cuddyer and four other hits while walking one, hitting one batter and striking out 10. It's the 26th time Scherzer has struck out 10 or more batters in his career.

Lefty Matt Thornton came on and gave up consecutive singles to Lagares and Duda with one out. Nationals manager Matt Williams opted to then go to the bullpen for right-hander Blake Treinen.

Treinen walked Cuddyer to load the bases and Murphy followed with a line drive to left that Werth misplayed into a double, clearing the bases to widen the gap.

Mets closer Jeurys Familia shut down the Nats to pick up a five-out save.

The Nats' 4-0 loss ends their three-game winning streak and drops them six games behind the Mets in the National League East.