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Hernandez dominates, Mets' offense awakens in rout

Jul 18, 2007 - 6:11 AM SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Orlando Hernandez threw a gem and the New York Mets got some key hits from a pair of slumping players.

Hernandez threw seven scoreless innings, Paul Lo Duca drove in a pair of runs and Carlos Beltran went 2-for-4 with an RBI as the Mets defeated the San Diego Padres, 7-0, on Tuesday.

Hernandez (6-4) combined with two relievers on a three-hitter. In not allowing a run for the fifth time this year, the veteran righthander yielded just two hits, walked two batters and struck out four.

Hernandez also stole a base for the second straight game and scored a run. He became the first pitcher to have steals in back-to-back starts since former Met great Tom Seaver accomplished the feat in 1967.

"It's not only the stolen bases," Hernandez said through an interpreter. "Anything you can do at the plate or steal a base to benefit the club and win a ballgame, I've got to do it."

Hernandez outpitched All-Star Jake Peavy to win consecutive starts for the first time this season.

"I felt pretty good with the way I pitched tonight," Hernandez said. "I did everything that was in my hands to win the ballgame. I had command of all my pitches tonight, and I have to give credit to (catcher) Paul Lo Duca with the way he called the game."

Meanwhile Lo Duca, who entered with a lifetime average of .190 (4-for-21) against Peavy, provided some early run support with a two-out RBI single up the middle in the fourth that scored Beltran for a 1-0 lead.

"When you score a run against a guy who is one of the best in the National League, that's always a good feeling," Beltran said. "Then we went on to score three against him, so we felt pretty good that we were going to be able to win, because 'El Duque' was pitching a great ballgame."

Beltran had collected just one hit since the All-Star break, stumbling to a .158 average in July, but broke out with a pair of doubles in this one.

Hernandez helped his own cause, leading off the fifth with a single and stealing second. One out later, he scored on a single by Jose Valentin.

The 30-year-old Beltran contributed to the two-run frame with with an RBI double to left that plated Valentin for a 3-0 advantage.

"We're a good offensive ballclub," Mets manager Willie Randolph said. "It was just a matter of time before we clicked, and hopefully this is it."

The Mets broke through against Peavy (9-4), who had his start pushed back three days due to a sore biceps. The righthander was touched for three runs for the second straight game and fourth time in his last five outings.

"(The biceps) was as good as it has felt all year," Peavy said. "It wasn't a problem."

Pitching for the first time since getting the start for the NL in the All-Star Game, the 26-year-old Peavy allowed six hits while striking out five and walking two.

"I was trying not to give up any more runs because I knew that 'El Duque' was going well," Peavy said. "The game was over when I gave up that run in the fourth with the way 'El Duque' was pitching."

After suffering just one defeat during the first two months of the season, Peavy has lost three straight decisions and has just two victories since June 1.

Pedro Feliciano threw a scoreless eighth and Guillermo Mota worked the ninth as the Mets won for the fourth time in the last six games.

Carlos Delgado delivered a two-run single in the ninth for New York, which scored more than three runs for only the fifth time in the last 14 games.

Adrian Gonzalez collected a pair of doubles for the Padres, who were held to three hits or fewer for the third time this month.

"It wasn't the type of game that we've played most of the season," San Diego manager Bud Black said. "(The Mets) got a good laugh. They've got a good team as well. We just probably didn't play as crisp as you've seen us play. We'll turn the page on this one."