Senga retired 15 of the last 16 Nationals he faced, allowed one walk, struck out five and left with the Mets ahead 4-0. After Jose Castillo and Huascar Brazoban carried the shutout to the ninth — with the help of a run-saving diving catch by centerfielder Tyrone Taylor — things got dicey for the Mets.

Nationals shortstop C.J. Abrams hit a sharp grounder that pulled Pete Alonso away from first base. Running to cover first base, Senga received a high throw from Alonso, landing awkwardly on his right foot. After completing the out, Senga fell to the ground on the grass in foul territory, reaching for his right hamstring.

New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga exited Thursday's game against the Washington Nationals in the bottom of the sixth inning after injuring himself while covering first base on a groundout.