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Homer by Easley helps Mets to seventh straight win

Jul 12, 2008 - 3:37 AM By Doug Mittler PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- Damion Easley homered with the bases empty after the Colorado Rockies could do nothing with the bases full.

Easley hit a solo shot off Taylor Buccholz to snap an eighth-inning tie as the New York Mets extended their winning streak to seven games with a 2-1 victory over the Rockies in the opener of a three-game series.

The Mets are in the midst of their longest winning streak since a seven-game run in August 2006, and they had to work out of several jams to do it. The Rockies left the bases loaded in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings, failing to score each time.

"Ten men left on base. Four times up with the bases loaded," Colorado manager Clint Hurdle said. "We didn't get it done."

Starter Oliver Perez got Chris Iannetta on a fly ball to end the sixth, Aaron Heilman struck out Willy Taveras and Clint Barmes to finish the seventh and Pedro Feliciano (2-2) induced Jayson Nix to hit a slow groundout to conclude the eighth.

"That's clutch pitching, but you don't want to have to do that on a regular basis," Mets catcher Brian Schneider said.

Easley then played the role of hero, homering to left-center field off Buccholz (3-3) on a 3-2 pitch with two outs in the bottom half.

"I hit it good, but when you hit it in that part of the park, I didn't think I had enough to get it out," said Easley, who has been playing regularly at second base with Luis Castillo on the disabled list. "It's been fun to contribute. We've been winning while I've been out there, and I hope it continues."

Billy Wagner retired the side in order in the ninth, striking out two en route to his 21st save in 27 chances.

It was the fourth straight game in which New York pitchers allowed just three hits. They also accomplished the feat in each contest of their three-game sweep of San Francisco.

"Our starters have been going deep and (the bullpen) has been sharing the load," Heilman said.

Brad Hawpe collected two of the Rockies' three hits, including a solo blast in the fifth that snapped a scoreless tie. Colorado has lost 16 of its last 18 games at Shea Stadium.

Named to his first All-Star Game earlier this week, Rockies starter Aaron Cook pitched six strong innings, allowing one run and six hits with a walk and three strikeouts.

"I was able to keep them off-balance, for the most part," Cook said. "But we're trying to make a run in the (NL West) Division, so personal accomplishments are out the window."

Perez has been inconsistent all season but was effective for the third straight start despite fits of wildness. The lefthander allowed just one run and two hits in six-plus innings with six walks and seven strikeouts.

"I thought his fastball was dominant," Mets manager Jerry Manuel said. "I don't think he was real wild. He didn't have command, he had control."

Perez did not allow a hit until Hawpe swatted his 14th homer of the season with two outs in the fifth. He was lifted after allowing the first two batters to reach in the seventh.

The Mets tied it at 1-1 in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single by Jose Reyes. Shortstop Barmes prevented another run when he made a diving stop on a grounder and threw out David Wright, who was named to the National League All-Star team as an injury replacement earlier in the day.

All-Star Matt Holliday went 0-for-3 for the Rockies, ending his 14-game overall hitting streak and a 24-game run against the Mets dating to 2005.