PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) -Mets pitcher Mike Pelfrey is back on track after missing a turn in the rotation because of a muscle strain in his lower left leg.

Pelfrey pitched four scoreless innings in New York's 6-2 loss to the Washington Nationals on Saturday. He gave up two hits and two walks with one strikeout in his first game since March 4.

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The Nationals didn't take a lead until their six-run ninth.

``Besides not pitching last week, I think I made a normal progression in my pitch count today,' Pelfrey said. ``It's kind of like I threw last week. I threw close to 65 pitches today, and I think that would have been normal for my next start, so I feel like I am right there, ready to go.'

Pelfrey said he still felt some discomfort, but nothing serious enough to raise any caution flags. He began feeling pain in his leg during a bullpen session March 6 and was shut down for two days before returning to workouts.

The right-hander threw a bullpen session Wednesday and remains on a path to make his regular-season debut April 8 in Cincinnati.

``Today was the first day I really tested it going all out, and it was still a little sore, but nothing I would be worried about,' Pelfrey said.

As for his performance Saturday, Pelfrey was especially pleased with his changeup. He said he threw only about 50 changeups last year but used about 10 against the Nationals, with some success.

It's his fastball location that needs some work.

``The name of the game is locating pitches, and I definitely did that better than the other day, and hopefully it just continues to get better,' Pelfrey said.

Pelfrey's teammates gave him a lead in the first inning. Fernando Tatis, back from the World Baseball Classic, doubled off Shairon Martis to score Luis Castillo from first base. Castillo had walked.

Martis, who made his major league debut in September, allowed one run, four hits and two walks with two strikeouts in four innings during his second Grapefruit League start. He remains in the mix for a spot in the rotation and is pleased with his progression so far.

``I think I threw good,' Martis said. ``I was just a little rushed (in the first inning), but my fastball was working, changeup too. I need to work a little more on the slider, but other than that it was good. It's going good for me.'

The Mets extended their lead with a run in the sixth off Terrell Young, and fifth-starter contender Livan Hernandez kept Washington's bats quiet, pitching two innings in relief of Pelfrey.

Hernandez walked two but didn't give up a hit and struck out one in his fourth appearance.

``Physically, I feel really good,' he said. ``The legs are strong enough. Every game of spring training, I feel better and better. ... I'm working hard and trying to make the team. I feel really good, and I think I can have a great year.'

Mets manager Jerry Manuel said it was the best outing he has seen from Hernandez, which could help his chances to make the rotation. Hernandez has made two starts this spring and has pitched in relief twice, totaling 9 2-3 innings.

``In Livan's case, coming out of the 'pen and being able to do that for a couple innings was good for him, so he will go back and start sometime soon,' Manuel said.

Notes: Mets shortstop Jose Reyes returned to the leadoff spot for the first time this spring in his first game back from the WBC. He went 0-for-3 and likely will remain in the top spot. ... The Mets claimed RHP Fernando Nieve off waivers from Houston. The 26-year-old Nieve was 0-1 with an 8.44 ERA in 11 outings last year. ... Mets ace Johan Santana is scheduled to pitch a minor league game Tuesday while the team travels to play Atlanta. He made his Grapefruit League debut on Thursday after being slowed by elbow tightness.