The Nationals won three of four games from the Mets this week, and defense played a key role in Thursday's 1-0 nail-biter at Shea Stadium.

Washington made three sterling defensive plays in the game's final two innings. Cristian Guzman alertly covered third base on Jose Castillo's eighth-inning sacrifice bunt to nab Jose Reyes trying to advance all the way from first. Willie Harris made a highlight-reel, diving catch in the left field corner on Ryan Church's flyball in the ninth. And first baseman Aaron Boone snagged Carlos Delgado's line drive later in the ninth, then fired to third to double up Carlos Beltran and end the game.

"That's how you've got to win sometimes," Boone said. "That's a good ballgame right there."

The play to nail Reyes was particularly impressive. When Ryan Zimmerman came charging in to field Castillo's bunt, third base was left uncovered. Guzman, though, outraced Reyes to the bag, then took Boone's throw on the run and tagged Reyes for the out.

"Guzy did a great job of staying ahead of him," Boone said. "He flashed me his glove, and when he did that I just said: 'OK, I just need to complete it.'"

NATIONALS 1, METS 0: Jason Bergmann tossed seven shutout innings in his return to the majors after a month at Class AAA, and Washington made several big defensive plays to cap a tense victory at Shea Stadium. Despite being no-hit by Mike Pelfrey into the seventh, the Nationals pushed across a run in the eighth on Jesus Flores' double, Willie Harris' sacrifice bunt and Felipe Lopez's sacrifice fly. The defense then sealed the win.

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