New York Mets' Johan Santana (57) delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Saturday, May 26, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
NEW YORK — Johan Santana pitched a four-hitter for his first shutout since 2010 as the New York Mets backed him with three home runs in a 9-0 win over the San Diego Padres in the National League on Saturday.
Santana’s last shutout in August 2010 came less than a month before shoulder surgery cost him the rest of the year and all of 2011. Santana (2-2) had gone without a decision in his last three starts, all Mets losses, and had six no-decisions in his first nine.
Mike Nickeas hit New York’s first grand slam of the season, and Scott Hairston and Vinny Rottino also homered for the Mets.