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Glavine gets back on track as Mets beat A's

Jun 23, 2007 - 3:49 AM FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- Everything that has gone wrong for Tom Glavine in recent weeks all went right on Friday.

Glavine pitched eight-plus innings and delivered a two-run single to cap a five-run sixth inning as the New York Mets defeated the Oakland Athletics, 9-1, in the opener of a three-game interleague series.

The 41-year-old took the mound in the ninth looking to throw the Mets' first complete game of the season, but gave up a leadoff single to Eric Chavez and left to a standing ovation. He was relieved by Aaron Heilman who gave up a single to Mark Ellis before getting the final two outs.

It was the 296th career victory for Glavine, who had been 0-4 with a 7.31 ERA in his last five starts since his last triumph on May 19 against the New York Yankees.

"That's the Tommy Glavine that we know he's capable of," New York manager Willie Randolph said. "The last couple of outings, he just ran into some tough ball clubs. Hopefully, he's back to where he was earlier in the season."

"I'm not going to say I am all the way back, but it is something to build on," Glavine said. "You're paid to win games."

A lack of support was a key reason for the first three games of that drought, but the Mets gave him plenty to work with in the first meeting between the teams at Shea Stadium since Game Five of the 1973 World Series.

Shawn Green, who came off the disabled list on June 11, homered and drove in three runs.

"I saw the ball well up there," Green said. "It was the first time since I came off the disabled list that I felt good every time up."

Carlos Beltran hit his first homer since June 6 - a two-run shot in the seventh - for the Mets, who won for just the fourth time in their last 17 games.

Meanwhile Glavine was helped by a pair of key defensive plays and also made an outstanding one of his own when he caught a hard line drive back to the box by Bobby Crosby in the seventh.

"I'm not going to say it was all me," Glavine said.

After being tagged for 16 runs in his last two starts, Glavine (6-5) allowed one run and six hits with a season-high tying five strikeouts and two walks. When he retired the side in order in the sixth, it was his first 1-2-3 inning in his last three starts.

Shannon Stewart homered in the second for the lone run for Oakland, which opened a 10-game road trip.

Lenny DiNardo (2-4) took the loss, allowing six runs - two earned - and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. The lefthander allowed single runs in the first, third, and fifth.

"Tom Glavine did a real good job. (DiNardo) threw the ball well, too," Athletics manager Bob Geren said.

Jose Reyes opened the first with a bunt single and went to second on a throwing error by third baseman Eric Chavez before scoring on a single by Carlos Beltran.

Glavine doubled in the third inning to extend his hitting streak to four games. He was sacrificed to third by Reyes and scored on a sacrifice fly by Paul Lo Duca. Green increased the lead to 3-1 with a leadoff home run in the fifth.

DiNardo left with one out in the sixth after allowing a one-out single by Carlos Delgado that scored Carlos Beltran, who reached on a throwing error by shortstop Bobby Crosby and went to second on a single by David Wright.

"You don't want to give outs away," Geren said. "That team is good enough with 27 outs."

Colby Lewis relieved and allowed a two-run double over the head of right fielder Travis Buck that made it 6-1. Rookie Carlos Gomez was intentionally walked and both runners moved up a base on a balk before Glavine sliced a two-run single to left field. The inning ended when Glavine was thrown out trying to score on a double by Reyes over the head of center fielder Mark Kotsay.

Rich Harden, activated off the disabled list on Thursday, pitched a scoreless eighth inning for Oakland in his first appearance since April 15. Geren plans to use Harden relief to allow him to build up strength before a return to the rotation.