MLB Scores: Josiah Gray, Ruiz propel Washington Nationals to 5-0 win over New York Mets

Josiah Gray pitched six overpowering innings and batterymate Keibert Ruiz homered to help the Washington Nationals beat the listless New York Mets 5-0 on Tuesday night.

Luis García had a two-run double and Joey Meneses added a pair of RBI singles among his three hits. Ruiz also finished with three hits as the rebuilding Nationals won the first meeting this season between the NL East foes.

Finally given some offensive support in his fifth start of the year, Gray (1-4) struck out nine and walked one while allowing four hits in a return close to home. The right-hander grew up in New Rochelle, just north of New York City.

Ruiz's solo homer to right-center off José Butto (0-1) in the second marked the first run Washington scored with Gray on the mound this season.

Gray and Ruiz were both top-rated prospects when they were acquired from the Dodgers in the July 2021 blockbuster trade that sent Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to Los Angeles.

Butto was recalled by the Mets from Triple-A Syracuse to pitch in Scherzer’s spot Tuesday. The three-time Cy Young Award winner was suspended for 10 games by Major League Baseball last week following his ejection for having a foreign substance on his hand while pitching in a game at Dodger Stadium.

Making his third big league start, Butto walked six in 4 2/3 innings. He gave up two runs and four hits.

Mason Thompson completed a five-hitter for the Nationals' first shutout this season and third victory in four games. He worked three quick innings for his second major league save and first this year.

Back from a 7-3 West Coast trip, New York dropped its third straight in the opener of a seven-game homestand against two division rivals. The Mets were blanked for the fourth time this year.