Mets 3, Brewers 1
NEW YORK -- The New York Mets didn't just literally squeeze out an important run against stingy Milwaukee Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo. They also kept the Brewers from doing the same against winning pitcher Miguel Batista.
The starters dueled so effectively in the Mets' 3-1 win Monday night that both teams attempted one-out suicide squeeze plays with the bottom of their order up.
The Mets thwarted Milwaukee's attempt, while New York's No. 7 hitter, Ronny Cedeno, was able to score Daniel Murphy on his try in the sixth inning.
Murphy, who had doubled to lead off the inning, sprinted home as Cedeno dropped his bunt down the first base line.
Murphy had earlier extended his hitting streak to a career-high 10 games with a RBI single in the first. The Mets added their third run when David Wright doubled to lead off the eighth and eventually scored when Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez dropped the ball for an error during a rundown.
Batista (1-1) limited Milwaukee to four hits and one walk while striking out five in seven shutout innings.
Gallardo (2-4) took the loss despite allowing just two runs on two hits and six walks in six innings.
Tim Byrdak and Bobby Parnell combined on a scoreless eighth for the Mets.
Frank Francisco, who blew a save opportunity Sunday, was booed as he allowed a run in the ninth on a one-out RBI single by Corey Hart. However, after walking Taylor Green, he retired the next two batters for his ninth save a few hours after manager Terry Collins announced he would keep Francisco in the closer role for now.
The Mets put at least one man on base each of the first three innings, but Gallardo mostly maneuvered out of trouble.
Not so in the first, when a pair of walks and a two-out single by Murphy gave the Mets a 1-0 lead.
Batista, who entered the game with a 5.89 ERA, found himself in a similar situation, but was helped by his defense after being hurt by it in the second.
Green led off the inning with a single to right, but Lucas Duda's diving attempt failed, allowing Green to advance to third on his error.
Batista came back to strike out Brooks Conrad for the first out, before No. 8 hitter Cesar Izturis was called on to attempt a suicide squeeze with the pitcher on deck.
With Green running on the pitch, Izturis dropped a bunt down the third-base line. Mets catcher Mike Nickeas pounced on it and Green quickly attempted to retreat.
But Nickeas threw to third baseman Wright, who tagged Green out.
Gallardo then flied out to end the inning.
NOTES: Left fielder Jason Bay (fractured left rib) saw a team doctor Monday and was with the Mets. He is hoping to be cleared soon to begin baseball activities. ... Mets catcher Rob Johnson, who bruised his left thumb after taking a foul tip off it Sunday, was expected to be available in an emergency. The Mets are still without catcher Josh Thole, who sustained a concussion last week. ... New York first baseman Ike Davis returned to the lineup Monday after sitting out Sunday with what Davis said he believed was food poisoning. ... Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks, who was hit by a pitch on his left hand Friday night, was out of the starting lineup for the third straight game. He grounded out as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning.
