WASHINGTON (AP) - Vinny Castilla had three hits and four RBIs, Livan Hernandez was nearly flawless until the ninth, and the first-place Nationals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-3 Thursday night in Washington's first regular-season baseball game since Sept. 30, 1971.

Castilla, who sat out the past two games with a sore right shoulder, went 3-for-3 with a double in the second, a two-run triple in the fourth and a two-run homer in the sixth - all off Arizona starter Javier Vazquez (0-2).

Hernandez (1-1) gave up just one hit before the ninth. After a walk and a single, Hernandez allowed Chad Tracy's three-run homer with one out. Chad Cordero got the last two outs for his second save.

The baseball-starved fans cheered everything, although a smattering of boos was heard when President Bush strode to the mound in a team jacket to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Mets 4, Astros 3

NEW YORK (AP) - Jose Reyes' speed keyed a three-run seventh inning and the Mets rallied for their fourth straight victory.

New York was trailing 3-1 against Brandon Backe when David Wright walked to open the seventh, and Victor Diaz doubled a batter later.

Wright scored on a grounder and Reyes hit an infield single against ex-Met John Franco (0-1) , scoring Diaz with the tying run.

Reyes stole second and scored when third baseman Mike Lamb booted Miguel Cairo's grounder for an error.

Mike Matthews (1-0) pitched a scoreless seventh to earn the win and Braden Looper pitched the ninth for his first save.