• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Santana, Wright lead way as Mets pound Marlins

Apr 1, 2008 - 12:54 AM By Christopher Stock PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MIAMI (Ticker) -- Johan Santana did not disappoint in his much-anticipated New York Mets debut.

Santana threw seven strong innings and David Wright delivered a three-run double to lead the Mets to a 7-2 victory over the Florida Marlins on Opening Day Tuesday.

Wright broke open the game with a bases-clearing double to center field off Florida starter Mark Hendrickson in the fourth inning, capping a six-run frame that gave the Mets a 6-0 lead.

Santana, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, was obtained in a trade with the Minnesota Twins this offseason and subsequently signed a six-year, $137.5 million contract - the largest ever for a pitcher.

"It's always good to get the first one out of the way," Santana said. "It was just another game, another Opening Day, a different uniform, a lot of expectations, but I felt good."

"Santana was outstanding today," Mets manager Willie Randolph said. "He had eight strikeouts and was pounding the zone all day. I thought he threw even better than he looked."

The lefthander was brought to New York to help ease some of the pain caused by last September's collapse. The Mets blew a seven-game lead with 17 contests left and missed the postseason.

"As good as advertised," Wright added.

The collapse was aided by the Marlins, who beat New York on the season's final day. Santana (1-0) helped the Mets get a sliver of revenge, allowing just two runs and three hits. He struck out eight and walked two, throwing 68 of 100 pitches for strikes.

"When you have an ace like Santana, you are going to feel pretty comfortable and feel pretty good about this team," Mets shortstop Jose Reyes said. "He puts the team in a great position every time he takes the mound."

Santana's counterpart, Hendrickson, cruised through four innings before the Mets figured him out.

Carlos Beltran doubled to left field to lead off the frame. After a walk to Carlos Delgado, Angel Pagan doubled down the left field line, scoring Beltran for the early 1-0 lead.

Ryan Church and Reyes provided RBI singles for a 3-0 lead, and Wright then provided the crushing blow. After a walk to Luis Castillo, Wright smacked a two-out, bases-clearing double to left-center field to stretch the lead to 6-0.

"I was looking for a fastball," Wright said. "He was pretty sneaky, but I got one a little bit over the middle of the plate and got one up."

Josh Willingham sliced the lead to 6-2 with a two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth.

Willingham had another chance to cut into the four-run deficit in the eighth with runners on second and third with two outs, but Jorge Sosa struck him out to end the threat. Hendrickson (0-1) allowed six runs and seven hits in five innings, striking out two walking three.

"It's a tough division, but we can hang in there," Marlins outfielder Luis Gonzalez said. "It was just the first game. We have to come out the next game and be aggressive. Hopefully, Pedro (Martinez) is not on his game and we are on ours."