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Hernandez pitches Mets past Giants

Jun 1, 2007 - 4:40 AM FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- Orlando Hernandez pitched well in his second start since a stint on the disabled list, but this time he has a win to show for it.

Hernandez settled down after a shaky beginning to pitch seven solid innings and the New York Mets scored four times in the first two innings en route to a 4-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants in the rubber game of their three-game series.

The 38-year-old Cuban allowed two runs and two hits in the first but dominated thereafter, throwing six hitless innings with just one walk.

"Some time you you've just got to get your rhythm," New York manager Willie Randolph said. "Once he settled in and got his feel going he was lights out."

Hernandez, who was making his second start after missing a month with shoulder bursitis, said he did not make many adjustments.

"I threw the same pitches - curveball, fastball," Hernandez said. "Maybe I threw more fastballs after the first inning."

Hernandez, who threw six shutout innings against Florida in his first start back, notched his first win since April 19. He had been victimized by lack of run support as the Mets had scored two runs or less in four of his previous six starts.

"It's OK," said Hernandez of the lack of run support. "I don't worry about that. I worry about getting outs and helping my team win. If I do that I'm happy."

Hernandez (3-1) yielded just those two first-inning hits and two runs in seven innings with three strikeouts and one walk.

Joe Smith worked a scoreless eighth after allowing a leadoff double to Fred Lewis.

Billy Wagner recorded the final three outs for his 13th save. He has converted a franchise-record 30 consecutive saves.

Giants shortstop Omar Vizquel, who had an RBI triple in the first, said the performance was was vintage Hernandez.

"He threw his fastball, changeup and breaking stuff," Vizquel said. "He kept everyone off balance. Typically Hernandez, hitting the corners. He threw a great game."

The Mets won for the fifth time in six games, but center fielder Carlos Beltran was forced to leave after just one inning with a bruised right knee suffered in a collision while running to first base.

Beltran hit a one-hopper to second and collided with Rich Aurilia at first, bending over to grab his right knee. He scored on David Wright's double but left after the frame.

"I was in a lot of pain and they took me out of the game. The doctor said there will be an MRI tomorrow," Beltran said.

"I know it's going to be swollen," said Beltran who is listed as day-to-day with a bruised right knee. "I am walking good but I can't put a lot of pressure on it. ... I tried to stay in the game, but when David hit the ball to left-center I was in a lot of pain running."

Carlos Gomez replaced Beltran in center field.

Giants slugger Barry Bonds, who needs nine home runs to tie Hank Aaron's all-time record of 755, was hitless in three at-bats.

Hernandez explained his approach against Bonds.

"I just looked for good location," Hernandez said. "He is the best hitter in the game and I'm not afraid and I'm sure he is not afraid."

New York gave Hernandez early support with four quick runs off Matt Cain (2-5), who allowed four runs and 10 hits in seven innings. The Giants fell to 2-9 in Cain's 11 starts this season.

However Cain settled down to throw five scoreless innings.

"I wasn't getting ahead of guys early," Cain said. "I just worried about getting ahead of guys. If get ahead I can get them out."

San Francisco has dropped five of its last six games.

Hernandez labored through the first inning when Randy Winn singled and scored on a triple to right-center field by Vizquel. Aurilia brought Vizquel home with a sacrifice fly.

The Mets tied it with two runs in their half of the first. Jose Reyes walked, stole second, moved to third on a groundout and scored on an infield single by Beltran.

Cain's troubles continued in the second. Damion Easley doubled and Ben Johnson walked before Hernandez moved up both runners with a sacrifice.

Reyes lined a run-scoring single to right and Johnson raced home on a bunt single by Endy Chavez to make it 4-2.