Mets Almost Let Big Lead Get Away

After the New York Mets battered Mark Mulder for nine runs in his first major league game since June, Steve Trachsel and his bullpen nearly gave back an eight-run lead Wednesday night. Still, the Mets hung on for a nervous 10-8 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals that stretched their winning streak to six.

Jose Reyes hit a three-run homer, a drive over the left-field bleachers, and Chris Woodward had a three-run double as the Mets built a 10-2 lead.

But Jose Vizcaino, signed by St. Louis earlier in the day, hit a two-run homer in the fifth, and Scott Rolen and Preston Wilson hit consecutive shots in the sixth. Then in the eighth, Wilson hit an RBI double off Chad Bradford and scored on Ronnie Belliard’s single.

“A laugher is not always a laugher,” Mets Manager Willie Randolph said. “It seemed like a laugher, but it changed real quick. At least we’re not crying, though.”

Trachsel (13-5) gave up six runs, six hits and three walks in five-plus innings but still managed to win his fourth consecutive decision and improve to 11-1 since May 17.

Mulder (6-6) made his first appearance since June 20. Coming back from a strained left shoulder, Mulder lasted three-plus innings, giving up nine hits and four walks. His earned-run average is 6.77.

*

ROUNDUP

at San Francisco 7, Arizona 6: Rookie Eliezer Alfonzo delivered the go-ahead hit for the second straight game and Pedro Feliz ended an 0-for-15 stretch with a tying two-run double in the seventh. The Giants completed a three-game sweep of the stumbling Diamondbacks, who lost their fourth straight and sixth of seven.

Philadelphia 2, at Chicago 1: Jimmy Rollins doubled in the go-ahead run with two out in the ninth and the Phillies won their fifth in a row. Ryan Howard hit his 44th homer of the season in the sixth. Cubs catcher Michael Barrett, who had been out with a sore arm, made his first start since Aug. 18.

Houston 7, at Cincinnati 3: Aubrey Huff’s bases-loaded single highlighted the Astros’ seventh-inning rally. Willy Taveras bunted for a single that extended his hitting streak to a club-record 26 games, and Adam Everett homered and drove in a pair of runs for the Astros.

at Florida 9, Washington 7: Miguel Cabrera homered twice and drove in four runs to help the Marlins complete a three-game sweep. Dan Uggla, Mike Jacobs and Hanley Ramirez also had two hits for the Marlins, who batted around in the first and second innings while taking an 8-1 lead.

Pittsburgh 5, at Atlanta 4: Freddy Sanchez hit a tiebreaking homer in the seventh inning to hand Atlanta another loss at Turner Field. Jason Bay also homered for the Pirates, who won two of three in Atlanta after coming into the series with baseball’s worst record on the road. They won only their third series away from PNC Park, having lost 17 and split another. The Braves dropped to 26-33 at Turner Field, the majors’ second-worst home record.

at Milwaukee 7, Colorado 1: Ben Sheets threw seven sharp innings, Prince Fielder drove in two runs and Tony Graffanino also had two RBIs for Milwaukee, which won for the fourth time in five games to move within 4 1/2 games of Cincinnati in the wild-card race.