Francisco Alvarez, who like McNeil made his season debut on Friday night, hit his first home run, a two-run shot inside the rightfield foul pole in the second inning to give the Mets a 2-0 lead. Those were the only runs Nationals starter Brad Lord gave up in his four innings.

In Saturday afternoon’s 2-0 loss to the New York Mets, proof of a stagnant Washington Nationals lineup could be found in the patchy mix of dirt and clay in front of home plate. It was in that blend of light and dark brown,

Francisco Alvarez hit a two-run homer in his second game after returning from a broken hand, and Clay Holmes combined with five relievers on the New York Mets’ fifth shutout of the season, a 2-0 win over the Washington Nationals.