FLUSHING, New York -- Jose Reyes and David Wright
signed multi-million dollar deals with the New York Mets in the
past four days. John Maine makes far less, but is making his
case for a hefty raise.
Reyes belted his second career grand slam in a seven-run fourth
inning and Maine extended his scoreless streak to 23 frames as
the Mets posted an 8-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.
In winning for the seventh time in 10 games, the Mets tied a
franchise record with their eighth grand slam of the season,
equaling the mark set in 1999 and 2000. New York also matched
the Chicago White Sox for the second-highest total this year,
trailing only Cleveland, which has nine.
Wright, who agreed to a six-year, $55-million extension earlier
Sunday, ignited the fourth-inning outburst with a run-scoring
double to left field.
"I couldn't sleep last night knowing we were on the verge of
getting this done," Wright said. "But once we got on the field,
I really don't think I let the whole thing bother me."
Philadelphia rookie starter Scott Mathieson committed a throwing
error on Jose Valentin's grounder, allowing Carlos Delgado to
score for a 2-0 lead. It was the second major miscue by a
Phillies pitcher in as many days. Jon Lieber's throwing error
led to three unearned runs scoring in the sixth inning of
Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Mets.
"He (has) to execute and make those throws to win big-league
games," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "He didn't mean
to. He just did."
After Endy Chavez walked to load the bases, rookie Lastings
Milledge delivered an RBIs single to center.
Reyes, who signed to a four-year, $23.25 million extension
Thursday, hit Mathieson's 2-0 pitch over the right field wall
for his 11th homer of the season, New York's sixth grand slam in
the last 19 days, and a 7-0 bulge.
"I just go out and play the game the way it is supposed to be
played," said Reyes, whose other grand slam came in 2003 against
Anaheim.
"A speed guy can beat you with the power game," Wright said of
Reyes.
Maine (2-3) allowed three hits in six scoreless frames, walked
three and struck out four. His scoreless streak is the longest
by a Mets pitcher since Mark Guthrie's 27-inning stretch in
2002.
"It's more a confidence thing," Maine said. "Now I know I can
pitch here." Acquired from Baltimore in the offseason trade for
Kris Benson, Maine earns the major league minimum of $327,000
this season. He lost his first three decisions, but his recent
work may have helped him secure the role of fifth starter.
"He had good stuff," Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard said.
"His fastball was elevated and we kept swinging at it."
Mathieson (1-3) was tagged for seven runs - two earned - and six
hits in 3 2/3 innings.
Mike Lieberthal ended the Mets' shutout bid when he led off the
seventh with his third home run of the campaign against reliever
Royce Ring.