The New York Mets (47-37), not strike that, Johan Santana beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-0 at Citi Field Tuesday night, pitching a three-hit complete game shutout.

The Mets improve to 29-13 at home and trail the Atlanta Braves by three games in the National League East. The Braves beat the Phillies 6-3.

Cincinnati Reds @ New York Mets … recap and boxscore

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Post Game Notes:

Johan Santana (6-5, 3.15 ERA) pitched a complete game three-hit shutout, including five strikeouts and three walks (113 pitches/78 strikes). Santana also hit his first career home run, a solo shot off Reds starter Matt Maloney in the third inning.

John Maine was the last Met to hit a home run. He did in on July 24, 2007 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Mets — and Santana — escaped a near disaster in the ninth inning. With one on and one out, Jason Bay dropped a fly ball off the bat of Jay Bruce to bring the tying run to the plate. Jerry Manuel came out of the dugout, reached the mound and Santana said, “I’ll finish it.” Manuel turned around and jogged back to the Mets dugout. Santana only used two more pitches to “finish” the Reds.

Jason Bay delivered a two-run single in the sxith inning. He has six RBI in the first two games of the series. Bay’s ninth inning error ended a string of 263-game errorless streak.

Jose Reyes returned to the Mets starting lineup, collecting two hits and a run scored.

David Wright was 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. The Mets All-Star third baseman is now batting .317.

Ruben Tejada broke an 0-for-16 slump with a single in the third inning.

Post Game Quotes:

Joey Votto (on Johan Santana):

“You guys are trying to get me to say that he was something special tonight. But frankly, what I saw was the same guy we always see. He just missed a few more barrels.”

Rod Barajas (on Johan Santana):

“He was awesome tonight. Given that he hit the home run, I’d say that was the best pitched game of the year.”

Johan Santana (on home run):

“I hit it and started running. I didn’t believe it was out … I’m on the board. At least I hit one.”

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