Nationals 4, Mets 0: Stephen Strasburg allowed two hits in six scoreless innings as visiting Washington handed New York its second straight defeat.

Strasburg (1-0), making his second start of the season and seventh since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2010, struck out nine and walked three while surpassing 100 pitches for the first time in his career.

The top overall draft pick in 2009, Strasburg left with a 1-0 lead after yielding a leadoff single to Ruben Tejada in the first and a one-single to Ike Davis in the sixth to outduel Johan Santana.

Santana (0-1) gave up one run on five hits while striking out eight and walking three in five-plus innings. It was his second start since shoulder surgery in September 2010.

Ian Desmond and Xavier Nady had two hits apiece for the Nationals, who got plenty of help from New York's pitching, scoring their runs on a wild pitch, a pair of bases-loaded walks and a groundout.

On a day when New York celebrated the 50th anniversary of the franchise, the Mets struck out 15 times in losing to Washington for the sixth time in seven games. Their pitchers also combined for 10 walks, a wild pitch and a hit batsman.

New York manager Terry Collins was ejected in the top of the seventh after voicing his displeasure over the strike zone in the previous inning.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Washington was 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position. ... Davis' sixth-inning single snapped a season-opening 0-for-18 slide with nine strikeouts. ... Mets 3B David Wright sat out his second straight game with a broken pinky finger on his right hand. Wright's finger was placed in a splint and the team is not expected to make a decision on his status until Friday. He is 7-for-12 with a homer and four RBIs in four games. Ronny Cedeno started in Wright's place. ... Nationals LF Michael Morse had to leave a Class A rehab game Tuesday night due to a strained lat muscle. The team sent X-rays to Dr. James Andrews. Morse has felt discomfort while throwing. ... Roger Craig, who started the first game in Mets franchise history, threw out the first pitch.