Perez Breezes in Debut, but Shaw Blows It

Pinch-hitter Matt Franco homered with one out in the ninth inning and Edgardo Alfonzo doubled home the winning run with two out as the New York Mets rallied past the Dodgers, 2-1, Saturday night.

Carlos Perez, acquired with shortstop Mark Grudzielanek on Friday night in a trade with Montreal, pitched seven scoreless innings in his Dodgers debut, giving up only two hits.

But Jeff Shaw, who had been nine for nine in save chances since the Dodgers got him from Cincinnati last month, could not hold a 1-0 lead.

Franco, batting for Rey Ordonez, tied it with his first home run of the season. Todd Hundley, pinch-hitting for Rick Reed (12-7), followed with a walk.

Tony Phillips, obtained a day earlier in a trade with Toronto, struck out before Alfonzo doubled to left-center off Shaw (2-5).

Reed gave up six hits, struck out six and did not walk a batter.

Eric Young put the Dodgers ahead, 1-0, by doubling home an unearned in the eighth. Alex Cora reached on an error by second baseman Luis Lopez and scored on Young’s two-out double.

The Mets threatened in the eighth against reliever Scott Radinsky. Alfonzo led off with a single and John Olerud hit a grounder that Grudzielanek misplayed for an error.

Antonio Osuna relieved and retired Mike Piazza on a popup, struck out Brian McRae and got pinch-hitter Lenny Harris on a fly ball to right.

Perez walked a season-high six batters. He entered the game tied for fifth in the the league in fewest walks-per-nine innings with 1.8.