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Perez solid, Delgado homers as Mets rout Nationals

Aug 15, 2008 - 3:31 AM By Rich Dubroff PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Brian Schneider and Carlos Delgado each hit home runs as the New York Mets downed the Washington Nationals, 9-3, on Thursday to complete a three-game sweep.

Schneider hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning and Delgado added a solo shot in the sixth that put New York up, 5-0. Delgado's home run was his 26th and his 11th since July 1.

The Mets are 23-12 since July 5 - and they say they're playing all their games with equal intensity - no matter the opponent.

"Every game, every series is important. This was a good time for this to happen," Schneider said.

Mets manager Jerry Manuel, who took over for Willie Randolph on June 17, is trying to lead the Mets to a NL East title - something that eluded them during September's epic collapse.

"At this time of the year, every win is huge no matter who you play," Manuel said.

Schneider and Delgado helped make a winner out of Oliver Perez (9-7), who blanked the Nationals for six innings, but allowed three runs in the seventh.

"He got some big outs early in the game. That's the key," Schneider said. "When you get a guy on base with one or two outs, you've got to get out of the inning without giving up one run here, one run there. That's exactly what he did."

Pete Orr drove in two runs with a pinch-hit triple and Emilio Bonifacio drove in Orr with a bunt single.

However, the Mets' beleaguered bullpen was able to hold the lead, as Joe Smith, Duaner Sanchez and Aaron Heilman combined to throw 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

New York gave Heilman a huge cushion as it scored four runs in the ninth on a two-run, pinch single by Damion Easley and a throwing error by Emilio Bonifacio that led to two more runs.

Perez, who had given up two hits in seven innings in his previous start against Florida, allowed three singles in the first six innings.

In 6 2/3 innings, he allowed three runs and six hits. He walked three and struck out eight.

"Oliver's become a real consistent pitcher for us. We feel real confident when he pitches," Manuel said. "He's having a tremendous second half for us."

New York scored twice in the fourth off Collin Balester (2-5). Argenis Reyes singled and David Wright doubled. Reyes scored on Delgado's infield out. Wright scored on Carlos Beltran's sacrifice fly.

In the fifth, Fernando Tatis walked and Schneider - a former National - hit a two-run home run to center field. It was his third home run and first since May 14 - also against Washington.

Balester allowed five runs and four hits in six innings. He struck out three and walked five.

"I'm keeping the ball up, and you can't do that at this level," Balester said. "It's killing me."

Washington has lost seven straight. The Nationals have endured three losing streaks of seven or more games.