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Three-run homers by Castro and Anderson spur Mets past Brewers

Aug 2, 2007 - 4:22 AM By David Coty PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) - One night after costing Tom Glavine a chance to win his 300th game, the New York Mets' offense provided plenty of support as Oliver Perez won his 40th.

Ramon Castro and Marlon Anderson each belted three-run home runs as the Mets defeated the Milwaukee Brewers, 8-5, at Miller Park on Wednesday.

Shawn Green also homered and Perez (10-7) struck out a season-best 11 in six innings as the Mets won for just the fourth time in eight games.

"Marlon came through as usual, a big game for him," Mets manager Willie Randolph said. "A big home run by Castro, coming through in the clutch. It was a nice win for us."

The Mets hit into two double plays and left 12 on base in a 4-2 loss Tuesday, with Glavine vying for the historic victory.

After a quiet first inning Wednesday, the Mets piled up runs against Brewers starter Claudio Vargas (9-3), who had his personal three-game winning streak snapped.

With New York trailing, 3-1, in the second inning, Anderson hit a run-scoring single before Castro belted his eighth home run of the season to give the Mets a 4-3 lead.

"If you play more, you get more comfortable at the plate," Castro said. "I'm playing more."

Castro was subbing for injured catcher Paul Lo Duca.

The Brewers regained the lead in the bottom of the frame on a run-scoring single by Corey Hart and an RBI double by J.J. Hardy. However, the Mets stormed back in the third.

The newly acquired Luis Castillo led off with an infield single and David Wright drew a walk. Vargas struck out Carlos Delgado and rookie third baseman Ryan Braun made a brilliant play to retire Moises Alou, but Anderson ripped his first home run of the season to make it 7-5.

"I wasn't getting a whole lot of consistent at-bats this year, but I knew once I start getting more, the next thing that comes is the power," Anderson said. "I've been feeling pretty good. Everything's starting to feel more like normal now."

Perez had put his team in an early hole when he surrendered Prince Fielder's National League-leading 31st home run, a three-run blast in the first inning. The homer was Fielder's first in 18 games, snapping his longest drought of the season.

Despite allowing five runs, five hits and three walks, Perez recorded his third win in four starts.

"I know we have a real good offense and we'd take the lead," Perez said. "In the third inning, I started thinking I had to keep my team in the game. I tried to forget the first two innings and pretend like the game started in the third."

Reliever Guillermo Mota pitched two scoreless innings before closer Billy Wagner worked around two hits in the ninth to record his 25th save in 26 opportunities. It also was the 349th save of his 13-year career.

The effort by Vargas (9-3) was his shortest of the season. The righthander allowed a season-high seven runs, five hits and two walks in just 2 2/3 innings.

Vargas also lost his first game of the season at Miller Park. He had gone 6-0 in his 10 previous outings here.

"It was a tough outing," Vargas said. "Two pitches, I made a mistake and I paid. I didn't feel like I had control of my pitches, and that's when I got in trouble."

Rookie lefthander Manny Parra pitched well in relief of Vargas, allowing one run and four hits in 6 1/3 innings.

"I was more than pleased with Parra's performance," Brewers manager Ned Yost said. "He picked up our whole 'pen. He did a great job. He's a special talent, like all these kids are."