Mets beat Reds for 10th straight win; take 1st

[July 18, 2008]  CINCINNATI (AP) -- David Wright's two-run homer in the ninth inning rallied the Mets to their 10th straight victory Thursday night, a 10-8 win over the Cincinnati Reds that moved once-languishing New York back into first place in the NL East.

Playing on the one-month anniversary of manager Willie Randolph's firing, the Mets blew three leads before coming full-circle with four runs in the ninth off closer Francisco Cordero (4-2).

They were 6 1/2 games out when they changed managers, fearful that they were playing themselves out of contention with an underachieving offense. Their 10th straight win completed the turnaround -- they're tied for first with Philadelphia, back in the top spot for the first time since April 19.

That once-balky offense made it possible.

Down to their last two outs, the Mets rallied against Cordero, who blew a save for the fifth time in 24 chances. Argenis Reyes singled, and Wright -- an All-Star designated hitter at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night -- hit a tying homer to right field that barely eluded the glove of leaping Ken Griffey Jr.

That was the spark they needed.

Carlos Delgado had a tiebreaking single off Cordero, smacking his hands and pumping his firsts as he rounded first base. Fernando Tatis doubled home another run to complete the comeback.

Those three accounted for all of the Mets' runs. Delgado and Tatis had two-run homers off Red starter Johnny Cueto, and Wright had a two-run single.

It appeared that the streak -- now matching the Twins for longest in the majors this season -- was about to end when Javier Valentin hit a bases-loaded double in the seventh for an 8-6 lead. Pitching has been the foundation for the Mets' winning streak -- four shutouts in the six previous games -- but Johan Santana and the bullpen repeatedly failed in the one.

Until the end, that is.

Duaner Sanchez (4-1) escaped a scoring threat in the eighth. Billy Wagner pitched a perfect ninth for his 23rd save in 29 chances, wiping away the bad taste of his latest All-Star appearance. The left-hander gave up an RBI double in the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night, helping the American League rally for a win that gives it home-field advantage once again in the World Series.

Notes: Delgado's homer was his 449th, tying Jeff Bagwell for 33rd on the career list. ... RH Pedro Martinez will miss his scheduled start Sunday against the Reds. He got an injection Thursday to help his groin strain heal. He could start Tuesday against Philadelphia. ... RH Mike Pelfrey will start in Martinez's place on Sunday. Pelfrey hasn't allowed a run in his last 16 innings. ... The Reds put INF Jerry Hairston Jr. on the 15-day DL with a pulled hamstring and activated INF Jolbert Cabrera off the DL. Cabrera dislocated his left index finger while sliding into base on June 21. ... Encarnacion had three hits and extended his hitting streak to five games. He's 11-for-19 during the streak.

[Associated Press; By JOE KAY]

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