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Braves rally for win against Mets bullpen

Sep 14, 2008 - 12:27 AM By Doug Mittler PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- The New York Mets' bullpen again wasted a solid effort from Johan Santana.

Jeff Francoeur had a two-run single and Omar Infante added a sacrifice fly as the Atlanta Braves rallied for three runs in the eighth inning to edge the Mets, 3-2, in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday.

The Mets (82-64) saw their lead over second-place Philadelphia Phillies (81-67) in the National League East reduced to two games.

"We have to win," Santana said. "We cannot lose any more games. We just got to step it up and play good baseball."

Santana appeared to be cruising to his seventh straight victory before allowing a pair of singles in the eighth. But for the seventh time this season, the bullpen squandered a lead for the lefthander.

"There's not much I can do or say about it," Santana said. "It's just another game that ended up not the way you wanted it to. It's something that's been there all year."

The Braves had lost a major league record 29 straight one-run games on the road since their last triumph on August 9, 2007 - also at Shea Stadium. Atlanta has won four straight games for the first time since a five-game run from May 18-22.

"It was real nice, huge win," Braves second baseman Kelly Johnson said. "Even though we're out of it, we can still help decide this thing. When it's in your division especially, words don't even describe it. If you went to college and you had a rivalry, it's like that. ? Maybe they collapse again. We just do our part and see what happens."

Santana left after allowing singles to Brian McCann and Yunel Escobar to open the eighth. Scott Schoeneweis (2-4) allowed a single to load the bases and was replaced by Brian Stokes, who promptly allowed a two-run single to Francoeur. It was the fifth hit in 32 at-bats with the bases loaded for Francoeur this season.

Josh Anderson sacrificed and pinch hitter Greg Norton was intentionally walked before Infante put Atlanta ahead with the sacrifice fly to deep left.

"Every time he gets a chance," Johnson said, "it seems like he drives that run in."

Santana, who has not lost in 14 starts, was charged with two runs and nine hits. The two-time Cy Young Award winner allowed a base runner in each of his seven-plus innings.

Braves starter Mike Hampton allowed two runs and six hits with five walks and four strikeouts in six innings.

Jeff Ridgeway (1-0) pitched a scoreless seventh for the win and Mike Gonzalez retired the side in order in the ninth for his 10th save.

The Mets scored twice off Hampton the fourth.

Carlos Beltran singled to extend his hitting streak to 10 games and went to second on a single by Carlos Delgado. Fernando Tatis walked and Damion Easley drove in the first run of the game with a single to left. Brian Schneider grounded into a double play to bring home the second run.

"I was just trying to pitch and do the best I could," Hampton said. "There were definitely some big outs."