Anaheim, CA (Best E Casino) - Carlos Beltran hit a pair of solo home runs as the
New York Mets took the opener of a three-game interleague set against the
Los Angeles Angels, 9-6.
Luis Castillo went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored while David Wright drove in two and Brian Schneider drove in a run for the Mets, who have won three of four overall. Mike Pelfrey (3-6) got the win for the first time in 11 starts as he gave up six runs on eight hits in six-plus innings of work.
"I was more aggressive tonight and I was able to throw more strikes," said Pelfrey. "Any time your manager lets you go through tough situations that's huge. Any time you can get a win that's great."
Garret Anderson drove in two runs while Chone Figgins went 2-for-4 with a double, one RBI and one run scored for the Angels, who have lost three of their last four overall. Jared Weaver (6-7) was saddled with the loss as he gave up six runs on eight hits with a walk and five strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings of work.
"To give up four runs early was frustrating," said Weaver. "But I was able to keep us in the game. Beltran is a great hitter and when you leave pitches up he'll do some damage. I'll have to be more careful next time."
The Mets plated two runners in the first inning to grab an early lead. Jose Reyes led off with a walk and moved to second on Castillo's ground out. With Wright at the plate, Reyes stole third and came home as Jeff Mathis' throw to third went into the outfield. After Wright struck out, Beltran ripped a shot that just cleared the wall in center.
The Angels answered in the bottom of the first as Figgins led off with a double, moved to third on Maicer Izturis' infield single and came home on Anderson's sac fly to make it a 2-1 game.
New York got another run in the second as Marlon Anderson led off with a double and later came home on a single from Schneider for a 3-1 lead.
Beltran belted his second home run of the game in the third, a two-out solo shot over the center field fence for a 4-1 advantage.
Anaheim cut its deficit in the fourth. Izturis led off with a single and later moved to third on a single from Vladimir Guerrero. Torii Hunter then punched a single to score Izturis. Casey Kotchman then hit a grounder to first and Guerrero was caught at third as he hesitated between home plate and third base. Howie Kendrick then roped a single to center that scored Hunter to make it a 4-3 contest. On the play, Kotchman was thrown out trying to reach third base to end the inning.
However, the Mets struck for four runs in the top of the seventh to solidify their lead. With runners on second and third, Jose Arredondo replaced Weaver on the mound, but did not fare well.
Castillo greeted Arredondo with a single to chase home both runners and Wright followed with a double to score Castillo. Beltran then reached base as Kotchman misplayed a grounder and Wright scored to make it an 8-3 game.
The Angels made it a two-run game in the home seventh. Kendrick led off the inning with a single and Gary Matthews Jr. walked before Mathis hit a single to score Kendrick. Pedro Feliciano then took the mound and promptly served up a single to Figgins to plate Matthews. After Izturis hit into a fielder's choice, Anderson singled to bring home Mathis and make it an 8-6 contest.
The Mets, though, got some insurance in the ninth thanks to a sacrifice fly from Wright that scored Reyes for a 9-6 lead.
Billy Wagner got into trouble in the ninth as, with one out, Figgins worked a walk and Izturis followed with a single. However, Anderson lined into a double play to end the game and give Wagner his 15th save of the season.
Game Notes
The Mets are 5-1 in interleague play this season...The Angels are 19-8 in their last 27 interleague games...Pelfrey had lost his last six decisions...It was the 23rd multi-homer game of Beltran's career...Attendance was 39,229.
