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Martinez, Mets salvage split with Rangers

Jun 16, 2008 - 1:27 AM By Zachary Braziller PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- It wasn't easy, but the New York Mets got the split of the doubleheader they were seeking.

With rumors swirling that manager Willie Randolph's job is in the balance, the Mets received six solid innings from Pedro Martinez and pinch hitter Robinson Cancel delivered a clutch two-out, bases-loaded single in the sixth inning to lift New York to a 4-2 victory over the Texas Rangers in the second game of Sunday's twin bill at Shea Stadium.

Carlos Beltran and David Wright each drove in runs in the third inning off Texas lefthander Kason Gabbard (2-2) to tie the game at 2-2.

Martinez (2-0), in his first home start of the year and third since coming off the disabled list, allowed six hits, two runs - one earned - one walk and struck out four.

"I wanted to make sure everything went smoothly," Martinez said. "No drama, no extra innings, no nothing."

Pedro Feliciano and Duaner Sanchez threw two scoreless innings of relief and Billy Wagner earned his 14th save with a perfect ninth after blowing his previous three attempts.

"I like the way the guys have been getting after it, even though we haven't been getting results lately," Randolph said. "It was a nice win."

New York, which won for just the third time in 10 games, moved to within 6 1/2 games of the National League East-leading Philadelphia Phillies. The Mets won their first series since taking two of three from the San Francisco Giants last week, saving Randolph's job for at least the upcoming road trip to Los Angeles and Colorado.

"We've found a lot of ways to lose some games lately, so it was good we were able to salvage the split," Wright said. "It's good to end on a positive here, to win a series. With the exception of a few innings, I think we played pretty well. To take two of three from a good Texas team will hopefully build some momentum to play a good (Los Angeles Angles) team and then Colorado."

Three batters in, Martinez found himself trailing when Michael Young singled home Frank Catalanotto. The Rangers added an unearned run in the third thanks to left fielder Damion Easley's two-base error of Ian Kinsler's sky-high pop-up in shallow left field.

After Josh Hamilton drove in his league-leading 73rd run of the season with a single, Martinez escaped further trouble by retiring David Murphy and Marlon Byrd.

Martinez settled down from there, retiring eight of the last nine batter he faced after allowing five hits and two runs in the first three frames.

"I'm always around the strike zone, so they got a few hits," Martinez said. "After the second inning, I made adjustments."

New York forged ahead in the sixth when Beltran and Easley started the bottom half of the inning with consecutive hits. After Carlos Delgado weakly grounded to second base, Ramon Castro was called out on strikes and Fernando Tatis was intentionally walked to load the bases.

Cancel then drove home two runs with a pinch-hit single, lacing the 0-2 delivery back up the middle.

"That's what it's all about - 25 guys, we're all accountable," Beltran said. "He came in a tough situation and came through big time for us."

It was his first hit and RBI as a Met - and first major league hit since September 21, 1999, when he was a member of the Milwaukee Brewers.

"It's been awhile," he said. "It means a lot. I was just trying to help the team."