NEW YORK -- Though they came limping into Shea Stadium, the Mets left having ditched their crutches. Seven games at home, it seems, were enough to boost them, if not entirely cure them, and to send them out to California with some newfound confidence in tow.
New York did it in telling fashion on Sunday night, winning a game in which the outcome rarely seemed in doubt. An early rally translated into an easy victory, allowing the Mets to cruise to a 6-1 win over the Dodgers, and earn their second straight series win.
Staked to an early lead, Johan Santana gave the Mets all the pitching that they needed, allowing leadoff man Juan Pierre to score in the first inning, but completely clamping down after that. The Dodgers had their share of baserunners, but less than their share of threatening rallies, and Santana's efficiency increased as the game progressed.
He finished after allowing only the one run on six hits in 7 2/3 innings.
The Mets' most productive rally took place in the third inning, when Jose Reyes doubled to reach base with one out. Then, with two outs, David Wright drove him in with a single, and Carlos Beltran launched a two-run homer into the right-field bullpen. Carlos Delgado walked, and Ryan Church -- starting his first game back from a concussion -- hit his own home run to cap the rally and give the Mets a five-run lead.
The Mets had earlier touched Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda for a run in the first inning, when Reyes singled and stole second, and Wright drove him in with a single.
Wright and Reyes combined for five hits, three runs and two RBIs.
__________________
|