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Wagner-less Mets continue series vs. Padres

Aug 6, 2008 - 10:15 AM San Diego (43-70) at Ny Mets (59-53) 7:10 pm. EDT

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- Pedro Martinez will start Wednesday against the San Diego Padres, but it's anyone's guess who will finish for the New York Mets, who appear to be headed toward the dreaded "closer-by-committee."

All-Star closer Billy Wagner was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday with a strained left forearm, forcing interim manager Jerry Manuel to declare the struggling set-up man Aaron Heilman as the temporary closer. It didn't last long.

A pair of homers from Fernando Tatis staked the Mets to a 6-2 lead entering the ninth inning. However, Heilman walked the first batter on four pitches and allowed a one-out, three-run homer to Jody Gerut. Joe Smith got one out, and Scott Schoeneweis retired Brian Giles to secure a 6-5 win and help snap a four-game skid.

It was Schoeneweis' first save since September of last season and ninth of his career.

"Me getting the save is about as big a highlight as me eating the 1,000th cheesesteak served in the visiting clubhouse in Philadelphia," Schoeneweis said. "That's about where it ranks, right guy at the right place."

Martinez (3-2, 6.16 ERA) will do his best to hand the bullpen a lead. The three-time Cy Young Award winner returned from the Dominican Republic following the death of his father and allowed three runs and five hits in five innings, but did not factor into the decision in a 7-3 loss to Houston on Friday - his first start since July 12.

The good news for New York is that the 36-year-old righthander is 10-3 with a 3.18 ERA in 24 career games against the Padres, and has won six of his last seven decisions against them. The Mets, who trail the Philadelphia Phillies (61-51) by two games in the National League East, will look to tee off on Cha Seung Baek.

Baek (3-6, 5.22) was rocked for four runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings of a 7-3 loss to Arizona on Thursday.