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Mets rally in eighth to edge Dodgers

Jun 1, 2008 - 12:06 AM By Doug Mittler PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- The New York Mets, who are making a habit of winning late, were more than happy to see Chad Billingsley leave the game.

Carlos Beltran hit a game-tying, two-run homer and Fernando Tatis delivered an RBI single later in the eighth inning as the Mets rallied for a 3-2 triumph over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday.

New York is just 3-23 when trailing after seven innings, but two of those victories have come in the last four days. Tatis has come up with the winning hit on each occasion.

After David Wright greeted Jonathan Broxton (2-2) with a leadoff double, Beltran deposited an 0-1 offering over the right field wall to knot the game at 2-2.

"We needed this one," Wright said. "The close games are the ones that separate the average good team from a championship great team."

Carlos Delgado singled and pinch runner Nick Evans went to second on a sacrifice by Damion Easley. Following an intentional walk to Brian Schneider, Tatis again played the role of hero, grounding a single to center field to plate Evans with the go-ahead run.

Tatis, who was called up from the minors on May 14, also hit a game-winning, two-run double in the 12th inning of Wednesday's win over Florida.

"I love being up (in that situation)," Tatis said. "You've got to be focused and ready for a pitch to hit."

The uprising ruined a terrific effort by Billingsley, who limited the Mets to four hits and three walks while striking out four in seven innings.

"Billingsley pitched his tail off out there," Los Angeles manager Joe Torre said. "Broxton's been consistent. It was just one of those things."

New York stranded two baserunners in the fourth, fifth and seventh innings and was 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position against the righthander.

"I didn't try to do too much," Billingsley said. "If I had tried to do too much, my outcome might have been different."

Duaner Sanchez (2-0) benefited from the rally, picking up the win after tossing a perfect eighth. Billy Wagner struck out the side in the ninth for his 11th save.

Blake DeWitt had an RBI single for the Dodgers, who saw their last 18 hitters retired in losing for the fifth time in six contests.

Looking to retain his place in the rotation, Mike Pelfrey pitched seven effective innings for the Mets, who have won four of their last five games.

With Pedro Martinez scheduled to come off the disabled list and start Tuesday in San Francisco, New York needs to open a spot in the rotation. A strong candidate for demotion is Pelfrey, who has been inconsistent for most of the season and did not past the fourth inning in his previous two outings.

"I thought (Saturday) was a positive outing," said Pelfrey, who realized the next step of his career is now out of his control. "It doesn't matter. If they tell me I'm going to (Class AAA) New Orleans, it's not the first time. If they tell me I'm going to the bullpen, it's not the first time."

After a shaky start Saturday, Pelfrey settled down and allowed just two runs and seven hits with one walk and six strikeouts. The righthander retired the final 12 batters he faced.

"We're going to have a tough decision to make," Mets manager Willie Randolph said.

Pelfrey allowed three hits in the first and the Dodgers scored a run on the ninth error of the season by shortstop Jose Reyes. Juan Pierre singled to open the game and came around to score when Reyes dropped a throw from right fielder Endy Chavez following a base hit by Matt Kemp.

At the plate, Reyes singled in the third inning to extend his hitting streak to 16 games.