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Perez strong, Degaldo homers as Mets top Marlins

Jul 30, 2008 - 3:30 AM By Chris Stock PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MIAMI (Ticker) -- Oliver Perez and Carlos Delgado kept their sizzling month of July going as the New York Mets downed the Florida Marlins, 4-1, on Tuesday.

Perez (7-6) allowed one run and five hits in six innings while striking out five and walking three. Perez is 1-1 with a 1.37 ERA in five July starts.

"I felt good," Perez said. "They like to swing hard and they can hit. I was trying to change my fastball, down and high, and was trying to change speeds on my slider."

Delgado also has been on a tear. With the Mets leading, 2-1, David Wright drew a leadoff walk from Renyel Pinto, and Delgado blasted a two-run shot to right-center field. It was Delgado's 23rd home and seventh in his last 13 games.

A former Marlin, Delgado is hitting .377 (17-for-45) in that span and is one homer shy of equaling his total from last season.

"I'm feeling pretty comfortable at the plate," Delgado said. "My timing is a lot better and that allows you to see the ball better and be more selective."

The combination of Perez and Delgado has been a big reason why the Mets (58-49) have won 16 of 21 and maintain a one-half game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies (57-49) in the National League East. New York leads Florida (56-51) by two games.

"I haven't been on the top step (of the dugout) with Oliver," Mets manager Jerry Manuel said. "He told me to sit down and be quiet over there so that's what I'm doing. He's pitching very well and he's very comfortable on the mound."

Aaron Heilman struck out four in two scoreless frames and Billy Wagner tossed a perfect ninth to record his 27th save in 33 chances. Wagner has not allowed a run in his last 10 innings, allowing one hit over that span.

"Fortunately, I was able to get the job done," said Heilman, who hadn't pitched since throwing two innings in Saturday's 14-inning, 10-8 loss to St. Louis. "You are always a bit tentative after a couple days off. I felt good and was able to locate my pitches."

Jose Reyes, rookie Nick Evans and Wright each doubled off Marlins starter Scott Olsen (6-6) to start the game. Reyes was thrown out by Josh Willingham trying to stretch his double to a triple, but Wright's double plated Evans for a 1-0 lead.

The Marlins responded in the bottom half as an RBI double by Willingham scored Jorge Cantu, who had doubled off Perez. However, both starting pitchers settled down. Olsen retired the next 10 batters after Wright's double, while Perez did not allow another hit until the fifth.

The Mets took a 2-1 lead in the sixth when Carlos Beltran delivered a two-out RBI single to left field that scored Evans.

Olsen allowed two runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings. The lefthander struck out five and walked two.

"We just have to play well against the teams we are competing against and just as well against the other teams who are playing the spoiler role, which we relished playing last year," Olsen said.