Niese Struggles in Debut, But Mets Win in Extras

Carlos Beltran hit a three-run homer, Endy Chavez drove in the decisive run in the 10th inning and the Mets beat the Brewers 6-5 Tuesday night thanks to a stellar effort from its much-maligned bullpen.

Pinch-hitter Daniel Murphy opened the 10th with a single off Reliever Salomon Torres and went to third when catcher Jason Kendall made a throwing error on Jose Reyes' sacrifice bunt. Chavez then drove in Murphy with a sac fly. I was just trying to put the ball in play and make something happen," Chavez said.

Six relievers combined for seven shutout innings, helping the Mets remain two games ahead of second-place Philadelphia. Jonathan Niese, who started in place of injured Mets Starter John Maine, gave up five earned runs and seven hits to go with four walks and two strikeouts. Brewer Second Baseman Ricky Weeks hit Niese's second pitch of the game for a home run to left. Niese then walked the next two batters, but managed to get out of the first giving up only one run by stranding runners at second and third.

"It's the first one," Mets Manager Jerry Manuel said. "You almost have to kind of throw that one out for him. You have to give him the benefit of the doubt. It was obviously a tremendous experience for him. The fact that we end up winning the game is the most important thing."

The Mets shook off the 1-0 deficit, and took a 2-1 lead in the second on a run-scoring double by Fernando Tatis and an RBI ground out by Damion Easley. Beltran, who left Monday's game in the eighth with a bruised knee, then gave the Mets a 5-1 lead with his 22nd homer in the third, which kept the Mets home run streak alive. They have homered in 13 straight games.

Milwaukee tied the score at 5 in the fourth after Niese gave up hits to the first five batters, but as was said before, Endy Chavez drove in the decisive run for the Mets in the top of the 10th, with a sac fly.

The Mets improved to 5-2 on their eight-game road trip against playoff contenders, winning for the 16th time in 21 games overall. Joe Smith got the final out in the ninth and Luis Ayala pitched the 10th for his fifth save in six opportunities since coming to the Mets in a trade with Washington.

It wasn't easy though, as Ayala gave up a two-out double to pinch-hitter Brad Nelson, his first major league hit, and walked pinch-hitter Gabe Kapler before striking out Weeks to end the ball game.

"When you have a number of pitchers like we have, and we have put most of them in somewhat stressful situations, you're not afraid now to call them in those times," manager Jerry Manuel said. "And you figure if you keep them short, keep them having some success, then the next time they go out there, they feel very confident about themselves. That's the plan. Sometimes it goes well. Sometimes it doesn't."