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The Leading Logic In Sports Handicapping |
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FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- Johan Santana again pitched well.
For the first time in more than a month, he has a victory to
show for it.
Santana pitched five scoreless innings before leaving after a
42-minute rain delay and Ramon Castro hit a three-run homer as
the New York Mets shut out the San Francisco Giants for the
second straight night, 5-0, on Wednesday.
The bullpen pitched four perfect innings for the Mets, who tied
a season high with their fifth straight victory and will try to
complete a three-game sweep of the Giants on Thursday afternoon.
New York has posted back-to-back shutouts for the first time
since September 6-7, 2006.
Santana (8-7) had been 0-4 in his last six starts since his last
win on June 1 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The lefthander
had a 2.48 ERA in those six outings but the Mets scored more
than two runs just once in that span.
"It's always good to get a win after everything we've been
through. That's what matters," Santana said. "In the past I was
doing my job. Tonight was about the whole team. The bullpen was
great."
The two-time Cy Young Award winner was lifted lifted by manager
Jerry Manuel after the rain delay despite throwing just 78
pitches. He allowed three hits, walked three and struck out
five.
"I thought that once his pitch count was close to 80 and after a
rain delay (that was enough)," Manuel said.
The rain began falling heavily with two outs in the fifth, just
before San Francisco's Ray Durham drew a walk. Randy Winn then
flied out to center field before play was halted, giving Santana
the necessary five innings required for a victory.
"I was ready to go out (for the sixth)," said Santana, who added
that he could be used in relief Sunday, the final day before the
All-Star break.
Castro, who has seen increased playing time at catcher since
Jerry Manuel took over as manager last month, gave Santana all
the support he would need with his home run in the fourth off
Jonathan Sanchez (8-5).
"He's had success against me in the winter leagues," Sanchez
said of Castro. "He's a good hitter."
The bullpen made the lead stand up. Aaron Heilman struck out two
in two innings, Duaner Sanchez worked the eighth and Joe Smith
the ninth. It was the Mets' fourth shutout of the season and
came after Mike Pelfrey pitched seven scoreless innings in
Tuesday's series opener.
The Giants have lost three straight and four of their last five
games. They have been blanked in back-to-back games for the
first time since June 9-10, 2007.
"We've been sputtering, no question about it," Giants manager
Bruce Bochy said. "We're going to have to find a way to score
some runs."
Jonathan Sanchez lost for just the second time since May 16.
The lefthander did not return after the rain delay and was
charged with three runs and three hits in four innings.
Carlos Delgado, who had three hits, doubled with two outs in the
fourth and went to third on a wild pitch before Fernando Tatis
walked. Castro then golfed a low 1-2 pith over the left field
fence for a 3-0 lead.
"I looked bad on the slider before and he threw me the same
pitch," Castro said.
Delgado also doubled in the eighth and scored on a single by
Argenis Reyes for the fourth New York run. Jose Reyes capped the
inning with an RBI single.
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