Santana strikes out 10; Mets edge Phils 1-0

[May 07, 2009]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Johan Santana extended his dominant start to the season, striking out 10 in seven innings of two-hit ball, and the New York Mets scratched out a run Wednesday night on Pedro Feliz's throwing error for a 1-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

In their first visit to the Mets' new ballpark, Citi Field, the Phillies wasted an excellent performance from previously struggling starter Chan Ho Park, who allowed one hit in six shutout innings.

But it wasn't enough to beat Santana (4-1), who lowered his ERA to 0.91 and won 1-0 for the second time in six starts this year.

Carlos Delgado chugged home from first base on his bad hip when Feliz threw away pinch-hitter Fernando Tatis' infield single to third with two outs in the seventh.

New York won its third straight game for the first time this season, dropping Philadelphia to 8-3 on the road.

The NL pitcher of the month for April, Santana threw 73 of 101 pitches for strikes and fanned at least 10 for the third time this year. Working on six days' rest, he was lifted for a pinch hitter after New York took the lead.

Pedro Feliciano struck out Ryan Howard with a runner on third to end the eighth, dropping the big slugger to 4 for 24 (.167) against the lefty specialist.

Francisco Rodriguez pitched a perfect ninth for his eighth save in eight chances as New York won the opener of an eight-game homestand before a crowd of 37,600.

Scott Eyre (0-1) took the loss for the Phillies, who had won three straight and eight of 10. Philadelphia made three errors after entering the game with only five all season, fewest in the majors.

Santana's run of consistent dominance has been remarkable. He has one loss in his last 23 starts, when Florida scored two unearned runs in a 2-1 victory April 12.

The left-hander has allowed no more than two runs in 12 straight starts and is 13-1 in his last 14 decisions. He hasn't had much help, either: The Mets have managed 12 runs in his six starts this year, 10 while he was still in the game.

Park was roughed up by the Mets last Friday, issuing six walks in 4 2-3 innings of a 7-4 loss. He looked like a different pitcher this time.

The right-hander entered with an 8.57 ERA, but the only hit he allowed was Daniel Murphy's two-out double in the fifth. Jeremy Reed followed with a groundout.

Park was lifted for pinch-hitter Eric Bruntlett with a runner on second and two outs in the seventh. Santana struck out Bruntlett with a 94 mph fastball.

Delgado received a loud, derisive cheer when he caught a foul popup with two hands. The first baseman dropped a routine popup in the ninth inning of Tuesday night's 4-3 win at Atlanta, leading to two unearned runs.

Notes: Phillies 2B Chase Utley was back in the lineup after sitting out Tuesday night at St. Louis with a bruised right foot. Utley was hit on the foot by a pitch from Mets right-hander Mike Pelfrey last Friday. ... Reed made his first start for the Mets, in right field, giving Ryan Church a rest. New York manager Jerry Manuel said Church could use a mental break. ... Santana also was the NL pitcher of the month in September 2008.

[Associated Press; By MIKE FITZPATRICK]

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