Wilkins’ Timely Hit Leads Giants, 2-0

It’s mildly surprising that the San Francisco Giants have a three-game winning streak so soon. The real revelation is how it’s happened.

“The thing is, Barry [Bonds] is not even rolling yet,” said Rick Wilkins, whose two-run, pinch-double in the eighth inning Saturday gave the Giants a 2-0 victory over the New York Mets.

“Guys all over the lineup are trying to get things going,” Wilkins said. “That’s what winning teams do.”

The Mets’ bullpen continues to falter. All four losses in their 1-4 start have been charged to relievers.

“It would be nice to get that first batter out,” Manager Bobby Valentine said. “I’m sure of that. Eventually, one of those line drives will be hit at somebody.”

After Rick Reed gave them seven shutout innings, Met relievers let it go to waste. Barry Manuel (0-1) gave up a leadoff single to J.T. Snow, a one-out single to Damon Berryhill and made an errant pickoff throw at second before Wilkins, batting for Joe Roa (1-0), lined a 2-2 pitch down the right-field line.

“I just ran out of gas,” said Reed, who had an encouraging word for his bullpen. “Don’t worry about those guys. They’re going to be fine.”

Four Giant pitchers combined on a three-hitter.

William VanLandingham gave up two hits in seven shutout innings, striking out five and walking one. Jim Poole relieved to start the eighth before Rod Beck got his third save.

Reed, a former replacement player, made his first start in the majors since Aug. 8, 1995, when he pitched for Cincinnati. He gave up three hits, struck out five and walked two.

The Giants have one home run this year, by Jeff Kent. The other offensive half of the Matt Williams trade, Jose Vizcaino, has combined with Kent to start the season 10 for 27.

“You know Barry’s going to have plenty of opportunities to be a hero,” Giant Manager Dusty Baker said. “As long as he’s out there, he’s a threat to break the game open. In the meantime, the other guys can pick it up until he’s got it all together.”