On the Mets beat

Hey Mets fans! Marc here as the Mets look to build on last night’s momentum and extend their four-game winning streak. Johan Santana (7-7, 2.96 ERA), who is 0-4 in his last six starts, will be on the hill for the Mets (46-44). He has pitched well, but has not gotten the run support. In his last start, Santana allowed two runs on six hits while striking out six in eight innings, but he didn’t factor into the decision as the Mets lost, 3-2, at Philadelphia. Jonathan Sanchez (8-4, 3.87) will go for the Giants (39-51). In last eight outings, Sanchez is 6-1 with a 3.31 ERA and 52 strikeouts over 51 2/3 innings.

Top 1st: A nice start for Santana, who retired the side in order.

Bottom 1st: Wright drew a two-out walk on the 10th pitch he saw. He stole second before Beltran struck out to end the inning.

Top 2nd: Santana issued a one-out single to Rowand before fanning Aurilia and Castillo.

Bottom 2nd: The Mets go down in order. Following a ground out by Easley, Delgado and Tatis struck out.

Top 3rd: Santana allowed an infield single to Burriss, who moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Sanchez. He then fanned Lewis and walked Durham before getting Winn to fly out to Beltran.

Bottom 3rd: The Mets had something going this inning, but failed to get a run in. Castro led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Santana. Following a walk by Reyes, Chavez and Wright struck out.

Top 4th: Santana worked in and out of trouble. He gave up a two-out double to Aurilia and walked Castillo before getting Burriss to ground into a fielder’s choice.

Bottom 4th: Finally, some runs for Santana as Castro belted a three-run homer! Delgado got things started with a two-out double (he advanced to third on a wild pitch by Sanchez) and Tatis followed with a walk before the big blast by Castro. Mets 3, Giants 0.

Top 5th: The good news. Santana cruised to a relatively easy inning and this is an official game. But the bad news is that the game is in a rain delay and it is coming down pretty hard.

Rain delay

Update: The rain has ended and the game should restart soon.

Update: OK, here we go. Game on.

Bottom 5th: After a 42-minute rain delay Alex Hinshaw replaced Sanchez, who surrendered three runs on three hits while striking out six and walking three in four innings. Reyes led off with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Chavez. However, Wright grounded out and Beltran popped out.

Top 6th: Heilman came on for Santana, who scattered three hits in five innings, and worked a 1-2-3 innings.

Bottom 6th: Not much for the Mets this inning other than a long single by Delgado. Giants reliever Matos, who relieved Hinshaw, got Tatis to fly out and struck out Castro.

Top 7th: Another 1-2-3 inning for Heilman.

Bottom 7th: The Mets failed to tack on a run when they had a great chance to do so this inning. Argenis Reyes led off and reached on a infield single and he took second on an errant throw by Giants reliever Yabu. After a strikeout by Jose Reyes, Yabu walked Chavez and uncorked a wild pitch as both runners moved up into scoring position. But the next batter, Wright, grounded out and Easley grounded into a fielder’s choice.

Top 8th: Sanchez reliever Heilman and worked a 1-2-3 inning. 10 straight Giants have been retired in order.

Bottom 8th: Nice inning for the Mets as they added two more runs. Argenis Reyes drove in Delgado, who led off with a double, for his first major league RBI. He took second on Lewis’ fielding error and scored on Jose Reyes’ RBI single. Mets 5, Giants 0.

Top 9th: Joe Smith came on and retired the side in order as the last 13 Giants go in order. Mets win their fifth straight game! Final: Mets 5, Giants 0.