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Hernandez struggles as Braves rout Mets

Sep 12, 2007 - 4:09 AM By Larry Fleisher PA Sportsticker Contributing Editor

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- When Orlando Hernandez went for a cortisone shot in his ailing foot, this was not the result he or the New York Mets anticipated.

Hernandez lasted just three-plus innings and labored through his worst outing of the season as the Mets were dealt a 13-5 loss by the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday.

Hernandez (9-5) pitched for the first time since August 30 at Philadelphia. In the final game of New York's four-game sweep to the Phillies, he allowed five runs and six hits over three innings and the Mets saw their lead in the National League East reduced to two games.

The veteran righthander missed his last turn through the rotation with a sore tendon in his right foot. He reported no problems and returned for the second of this three-game series.

"My control today (was) not good," Hernandez said. "It (the foot) feels good. I'm feeling good, the only thing is my control."

"He's fine," Mets manager Willie Randolph said. "He missed location. Obviously you're used to seeing him hit spots most of the year."

While Hernandez was recovering, the Mets (82-62) won 10 of 11 games to take control of the division, which they lead by six games. Hernandez was unable to help the Mets win their fifth in a row as he struggled through his second shortest outing of the season.

It was Hernandez's first loss since July 4 at Colorado. Before getting pounded in his last two starts, he had won his previous five decisions and this outing was attributed to inactivity by catcher Paul Lo Duca.

"I think he might have been a little hesitant (with the foot)," Lo Duca said. "But then I asked him and he said it feels fine. He's such a feel pitcher, kind of guy, throws his breaking ball. When you haven't thrown in 11 days, it really makes it tougher. So I really feel this is one of those outings."

After escaping a bases-loaded jam in the first, Hernandez allowed a run in the second and two more in the third. He completely fell apart in the fourth as he allowed the first five hitters to reach in a six-run inning.

Atlanta starter Buddy Carlyle had an RBI single and Kelly Johnson ended Hernandez's night with a two-run base hit. After Aaron Sele recorded the first two outs, Mark Teixiera hit a three-run home run, which officially turned the contest into a rout.

Two of the runs on Teixiera's 12th home run as a Brave were charged to Hernandez, who allowed a season-worst eight runs on six hits and four walks.

"I think for him his control was a little off tonight," Atlanta right fielder Jeff Francouer said. "We tried to take advantage of it. We did a pretty good job of taking pitches, working him deep in the counts and frustrating him a little bit."

Carlyle, who was coming of his shortest career outing a week ago against the Phillies, allowed three runs and six hits over 4 1/3 innings. Peter Moylan (5-3) registered the win after recording the final two outs of the fifth and a scoreless sixth.

Yunel Escobar also homered for Atlanta (74-71), which trails the San Diego Padres (77-65) by 4 1/2 games in the wild card race. San Diego is hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers later Tuesday but is among the six teams ahead of the Braves.

"We got to reel off a bunch of wins," Atlanta manager Bobby Cox said. "We wanted to come in here and sweep and get back in it somewhat. If we can get it back down to 6 1/2, we'll see what happens. There's no sure thing in this game."

New York scored three in the fourth as Paul Lo Duca hit a two-run home run. The Mets knocked out Carlyle with one out in the fifth after he walked David Wright.

Wright added an RBI double in the seventh frame but Atlanta scored three more runs in the eighth.