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Reyes, Maine lift Mets over Giants

Jun 4, 2008 - 11:59 PM By Al Barba PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- Jose Reyes had three hits, including a two-run home run, and John Maine snapped a two-game losing streak Wednesday as the New York Mets defeated the San Francisco Giants, 5-3, at AT&T Park.

Reyes sparked a three-run first inning against Giants starter Matt Cain, and Maine (6-4) allowed two runs - one earned - and scattered seven hits, walking one and striking out four in helping the Mets to a series win.

"Jose started us nicely and we scored some runs early and that set us up to be aggressive early," Mets manager Willie Randolph said. "John did an outstanding job in getting back on track.

"It's nice to win two out of three. For me it's only a matter time. We know we can play better than we have and now we're starting to show a lot more consistency and we've got to keep doing that."

It marked the third straight start that Maine went at least six innings and ninth time in 12 outings this season. Duaner Sanchez bridged the gap to Billy Wagner who pitched a scoreless ninth inning to record his 13th save.

"My body is a little sluggish today but my arm felt good," Maine said. "It's tough pitching here with the cool weather. You don't get to put a good grip on the ball but I did what I had to do to keep it close.

"I felt it was a skid. I was letting way too many runs come across the plate and this was a good start. Hopefully, I can get a streak going."

Meanwhile, victories continue to be hard to come by for Cain (2-4), who failed in his fourth straight attempt to record his third win of the season.

Cain struggled with his command, working just five innings, allowing five hits, walking four and striking out three while throwing 93 pitches. The Giants' righthander failed to make it into the sixth inning for the first time in nine starts dating back to April 28.

New York was able to put a runner on base in each of the first four innings before Cain retired the side in order in the fifth.

"Matt was just up too much today, especially the first inning," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "He had trouble getting the ball down, hitting his spots, and we got down three early. It looked like he settled down and then made another mistake, the ball got away from him on Reyes. That's not where he's trying to pitch. Like I said, a little trouble with command today."

Reyes led off the game with a double to right field, and one out later, David Wright was hit by a pitch. Carlos Beltran followed with a double to left-center field that gave New York a 2-0 lead.

Carlos Delgado capped the scoring with an RBI single to right field that snapped 0-for-14 career mark against Cain.

After the Giants scored an unearned run in the third on a two-out RBI single by Jose Castillo, the Mets increased their lead to 5-1 on Reyes' two-run home run to right-center field. The shortstop's eighth home run of the season came after Cain issued a two-out walk to Maine.

The home run came after Reyes had committed an error that kept the third inning alive and eventually led to an unearned run scoring.

"I feel I'm going to get on base a lot. It's good for this team when I get on base," Reyes said. "I didn't want to ruin that with the error, but then I came through with a home run in that situation and that's big. I feel happy I got it out there."

San Francisco scored single runs in the sixth and eighth innings to cut the deficit to 5-3. Omar Vizquel had an RBI single in the sixth and pinch-hitter Bengie Molina collected an RBI with sacrifice fly in the eighth.

Rookie second baseman Travis Denker continued to be a bright spot for San Francisco as he had a double and triple in three at-bats, one night after collecting first major league home run.