ATLANTA (AP/WFAN) – New York Mets pitcher Johan Santana left Thursday night’s game with Atlanta after five innings because of a strained pectoral muscle.

It was Santana’s shortest outing in 23 starts. The Mets, who were leading 2-1 when he left the game, announced his injury in the bottom of the eighth.

LISTEN: Johan Santana on his injury

“I felt a little tightness,” Santana said after the game. “I came back in to stretch it. The pitching coach came in, said he wasn’t going to take any chances, and took me out of the game.”

Santana threw 43 of 65 pitches for strikes and allowed three hits, one run and one walk with three strikeouts to avoid losing four straight starts for the first time since May 18-June 3, 2004, with Minnesota.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.