NEW YORK -- Right-hander Matt Harvey threw seven shutout innings to win for the fifth time in as many starts this season as the New York Mets snapped a three-game losing streak with a 4-0 win over the Washington Nationals at Citi Field on Friday.

Left fielder Michael Cuddyer hit a solo homer in the fourth for the Mets (16-8) and third baseman Daniel Murphy laced a three-run double in the eighth. Center fielder Juan Lagares had two hits.

The Nationals (10-14) had their three-game winning streak snapped.

Harvey, the first Mets pitcher to win his first five starts since Pedro Martinez did it in 2006, allowed five hits and one walk while striking out three.

Harvey threw just 93 pitches but was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the seventh. That move nearly backfired on the Mets in the top of the eighth, when second baseman Dan Uggla greeted left-hander Alex Torres with a single before pinch-hitter Tyler Moore flew out to the wall in left.

Manager Terry Collins promptly lifted Torres for right-hander Jeurys Familia, who got center fielder Michael Taylor to fly out to right before striking out third baseman Yunel Escobar. Familia completed his 10th save by throwing a perfect ninth inning.

Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer (1-3) took the hard-luck loss after allowing one run on five hits and one walk while striking out 10. It was the 26th double-digit strikeout game for Scherzer, who whiffed the side in the fourth and seventh.

Taylor and catcher Wilson Ramos had two hits apiece for the Nationals.

The anticipated matchup between Harvey and Scherzer -- the 2013 All-Star Game starting pitchers -- lived up to expectations. Harvey didn't have a single 1-2-3 inning but allowed just two runners to get beyond first base.

Scherzer didn't allow a hit until Cuddyer's homer to center with one out in the fourth. Only one other runner got as far as second base against Scherzer. In the fifth, right fielder Curtis Granderson doubled with two outs but was thrown out trying to score on a single by Lagares.

NOTES: The Mets recalled 2B Dilson Herrera from Triple-A Las Vegas and optioned LHP Jack Leathersich to the same affiliate. Manager Terry Collins said Herrera will play second and INF Daniel Murphy, the Mets' usual second baseman, will play third base until 3B David Wright (right hamstring strain) returns from the disabled list. ... The Mets hoped Wright, who has been shelved since April 15, would return next week, but general manager Sandy Alderson said Friday that Wright has yet to resume baseball activities. ... Nationals CF Denard Span (abdomen) sat out Friday after leaving Thursday's game in the sixth inning. Span, who had two offseason surgeries on his core muscles, hopes to return Saturday. ... Nationals INF Anthony Rendon (side, knee) was scheduled to resume a rehab assignment with Double-A Harrisburg on Friday. ... The first pitch was thrown out by New York Giants first-round draft pick Ereck Flowers.