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The Mets got back the lead for Johan Santana in the top of the eight inning, but they still needed six outs for the win.
Fortunately this time was different, as the bullpen would come through for Santana to give the Mets a 4-3 victory over the Nationals and Santana a rare him “W.” Joe Smith got three outs in the bottom of the eighth after giving up a leadoff single, and Pedro Feliciano pitched a perfect ninth for the save.
Santana went 7 innings, giving up 3 earned runs, 8 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6. He lost his no-hitter in the second inning when Cristian Guzman doubled down the left field line, making it 7,349 games without a no-hitter.
Carlos Delgado hit a 2 RBI-single in the first inning, and Carlos Beltran doubled in David Wright in the third inning. The go-ahead run came on a bases-loaded HBP of Damion Easley.
