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.

The sun was shining and Kodai Senga dominating, with a comfortable lead in Thursday’s sixth inning. And then a mostly perfect Mets afternoon at Citi Field got ruined.

Kodai Senga threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings Thursday before leaving with a hamstring strain in the New York Mets’ 4-3 win over the Washington Nationals that completed a three-game sweep.

Nationals drop their fifth straight, 4-3, after late rally falls short. They’re 2-8 since the calendar flipped to June.

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.

Takeaways from Sunday's game between the Mets and Rays, a 9-0 loss in which right-hander Griffin Canning regressed and Tampa Bay's pitching blanked New York's offense.

Their 9-0 loss to the Rays at Citi Field epitomized a series that saw cracks -- in some cases, for the first time all year -- surface in various corners of the roster. The sweep itself was not overly damaging for the Mets, who still lead the National League East by 2 1/2 games and hold the best record in the NL.

It was a scene reminiscent of the one from last July: Kodai Senga, the Mets prized right-handed ace, was on the ground in pain in the middle of what was otherwise a brilliant outing. And much like last time, Senga will be going on the injured list, this time with a strained right hamstring.

Kodai Senga's early exit due to a hamstring didn't halt the Mets, who swept the Nationals 4-3. Ben and Donnie talk his status and the convincing victory.

The Miami Marlins will go for their first series sweep of the season when they visit the Washington Nationals on Sunday afternoon. For the second consecutive game in the set, the Marlins fended off a late rally Saturday, holding on for 4-3 win after the Nationals scored twice in the ninth inning and left the bases loaded.