WASHINGTON -- It took a backseat to Johan Santana's performance, but Nats manager Davey Johnson acknowledged requesting the southpaw cover a shiny object on his glove before the start of the third inning.

The Mets are particularly sensitive to that topic because R.A. Dickey on Wednesday in Cincinnati was forced to remove two bracelets made by his daughters during the game. That was initiated by the umpires at MLB's direction, not by the Reds.

“The hitters didn’t complain, but … I was worried that when we got runners on base, that the reflection off that shiny gold thing on there could shine in their eyes -- because it was hitting me in mine," Johnson told Washington reporters. "When the lights would hit that thing when he would turn his glove, it would reflect. I went to the umpire, I said, 'We haven’t had anybody on base, but I wish you’d check that glove, because I don’t think it conforms to the rules.' It’s supposed to be one color, or similar color, and gold -- shiny gold -- is not a similar color. I said, 'You can tell them it’s from me. My players haven’t complained yet. I’m complaining.' He said, ‘I’ll tell ‘em it’s from the players.’ (laughs) It’s just little things like that that can bother me.”

Said Santana: "I guess it's part of the game, you know?"