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Maybin leads Padres past Mets

Aug 11, 2011 - 11:24 PM Flushing, NY (Sports Network) - Cameron Maybin hit a solo homer in the sixth and scored the go-ahead run on Ruben Tejada's error two innings later, as the San Diego Padres edged the New York Mets, 3-2, at Citi Field.

Luis Martinez added an RBI single for the Padres, who salvaged a split of this four-game series. San Diego starter Cory Luebke gave up two runs on three hits with four walks and eight strikeouts in five innings. Four relievers held the Mets hitless over the final four frames.

"We could have easily swept these guys if we were on our 'A' game Monday and Tuesday," said Padres closer Heath Bell, referring to bullpen failures in the first two games of the set. "We just felt really bad that we kind of let the guys down and we didn't want that to happen again today. We were like men on missions."

Jon Niese (11-9) allowed three runs -- two earned -- on seven hits and struck out seven over 7 2/3 innings for New York, which finished its homestand with a 3-6 record.

Down 2-0, Maybin put the visitors on the board with his seventh long ball of the season, a one-out blast to left field. The Padres tied the game when Martinez drove in Aaron Cunningham with a two-out single in the seventh.

Niese surrendered a single to Maybin to begin the eighth. The New York left- hander picked off Maybin, but he narrowly beat the throw to second base. With one out, Niese intentionally walked Jesus Guzman, who took second base as part of a double steal. San Diego then grabbed the lead when the shortstop Tejada booted a ball hit by Cunningham.

"Nothing you can do about it. You've got to try to go make that play," said Mets third baseman David Wright. "It took a tough hop on him. We've all been there. He's played great defense."

Luke Gregerson replaced Chad Qualls (6-6) in the bottom of the inning for San Diego and worked around a leadoff walk. Bell earned his 32nd save with a flawless ninth.

New York's Lucas Duda opened the scoring with a two-run double in the third.

The Mets loaded the bases in the fifth, but Nick Evans was called out on strikes.

Game Notes

Wright moved into first place on the Mets' all-time total bases list, passing Ed Kranepool (2,047)...Guzman extended his career-high hitting streak to 12 games...Niese and Luebke are both Ohio natives...The Padres improved to 5-2 on a 10-game road trip.