San Diego, CA (Best E Casino) - Paul McAnulty was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning, as the San Diego Padres edged the New York Mets, 2-1, in the opener of a four-game series at Petco Park.

Tadahito Iguchi drove in the other run but also left the game with an injury for San Diego, which has won two straight following a three-game skid. Jody Gerut had two hits in the win.

Josh Banks had another impressive start on the mound for the Padres but did not factor in the decision. Banks allowed one run on five hits through six innings with three strikeouts.

David Wright drove in the lone run for New York, which lost for only the third time in its last 10 games overall.

New York starter Mike Pelfrey was also strong on the hill, allowing just one run on eight hits over six frames. Jose Reyes ended 2-for-3 with a run scored and two stolen bases in the losing effort.

With the score tied 1-1 after eight full innings, longtime closer Trevor Hoffman (1-4) took the mound and pitched a perfect top of the ninth to set up the dramatic finish.

In the bottom of the ninth, Mets reliever Scott Schoeneweis (0-2) walked the first two batters in the form of Scott Hairston and Brian Giles. Adrian Gonzalez then grounded out to put runners on second and third before Kevin Kouzmanoff was intentionally walked to load the bases.

"You can't walk the lead-off guy," Mets manager Willie Randolph said. "We had a nice flow of lefties that he can go out there and get outs on; he didn't get the job done."

McAnulty then stepped to the plate and when Schoeneweis plunked him on the wrist, Hairston trotted home and the Padres celebrated the victory.

"You know it's part of the game," McAnulty said. "You know baseball is a weird game, there is no rational explanation for everything that happens."

Banks helped his own cause on the offensive side when he scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the third inning. Banks laced a one-out single and scored when Iguchi doubled into the left-field corner.

Carlos Beltran doubled with one out in the top of the fourth, but Ryan Church struck out and Carlos Delgado flied out.

Banks then retired the side in order in the fifth but the Mets knotted the contest in the sixth. Reyes led off with a single and moved to second on a bunt by Luis Castillo before Wright's RBI single to center field.

San Diego reliever Justin Hampson tossed a 1-2-3 top of the seventh before a strange play ended the home half of the frame. With runners on first and second with two outs, Joe Smith entered from the New York bullpen. Kouzmanoff hit a low line drive towards Reyes, but Iguchi -- who was on second base -- was running to third and the ball hit him in the leg for the third out.

Iguchi left the game after that play.

In the top of the eighth, Reyes drew a two-out walk and stole second base, but Castillo looked at a called third strike.

Game Notes

Pelfrey is now winless in his last 10 starts (0-6)...The Padres stranded 15 baserunners and outhit the Mets, 12-5...Reyes now has 21 stolen bases this season...Church ended 0-for-4 with three strikeouts...Attendance was 28,867.