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Santana helps resurgent Mets blank Giants

Jul 10, 2008 - 3:30 AM By Doug Mittler PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- Johan Santana again pitched well. For the first time in more than a month, he has a victory to show for it.

Santana pitched five scoreless innings before leaving after a 42-minute rain delay and Ramon Castro hit a three-run homer as the New York Mets shut out the San Francisco Giants for the second straight night, 5-0, on Wednesday.

The bullpen pitched four perfect innings for the Mets, who tied a season high with their fifth straight victory and will try to complete a three-game sweep of the Giants on Thursday afternoon.

New York has posted back-to-back shutouts for the first time since September 6-7, 2006.

Santana (8-7) had been 0-4 in his last six starts since his last win on June 1 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The lefthander had a 2.48 ERA in those six outings but the Mets scored more than two runs just once in that span.

"It's always good to get a win after everything we've been through. That's what matters," Santana said. "In the past I was doing my job. Tonight was about the whole team. The bullpen was great."

The two-time Cy Young Award winner was lifted lifted by manager Jerry Manuel after the rain delay despite throwing just 78 pitches. He allowed three hits, walked three and struck out five.

"I thought that once his pitch count was close to 80 and after a rain delay (that was enough)," Manuel said.

The rain began falling heavily with two outs in the fifth, just before San Francisco's Ray Durham drew a walk. Randy Winn then flied out to center field before play was halted, giving Santana the necessary five innings required for a victory.

"I was ready to go out (for the sixth)," said Santana, who added that he could be used in relief Sunday, the final day before the All-Star break.

Castro, who has seen increased playing time at catcher since Jerry Manuel took over as manager last month, gave Santana all the support he would need with his home run in the fourth off Jonathan Sanchez (8-5).

"He's had success against me in the winter leagues," Sanchez said of Castro. "He's a good hitter."

The bullpen made the lead stand up. Aaron Heilman struck out two in two innings, Duaner Sanchez worked the eighth and Joe Smith the ninth. It was the Mets' fourth shutout of the season and came after Mike Pelfrey pitched seven scoreless innings in Tuesday's series opener.

The Giants have lost three straight and four of their last five games. They have been blanked in back-to-back games for the first time since June 9-10, 2007.

"We've been sputtering, no question about it," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "We're going to have to find a way to score some runs."

Jonathan Sanchez lost for just the second time since May 16. The lefthander did not return after the rain delay and was charged with three runs and three hits in four innings.

Carlos Delgado, who had three hits, doubled with two outs in the fourth and went to third on a wild pitch before Fernando Tatis walked. Castro then golfed a low 1-2 pith over the left field fence for a 3-0 lead.

"I looked bad on the slider before and he threw me the same pitch," Castro said.

Delgado also doubled in the eighth and scored on a single by Argenis Reyes for the fourth New York run. Jose Reyes capped the inning with an RBI single.