Blanco's HR in 11th gives Mets second straight late-inning win

Baseball Betting Lines

05/08/2010 - Flushing, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Henry Blanco's first home run as a Met gave New York a 5-4 win over San Francisco in 11 innings, the club's ninth consecutive win at Citi Field.

Blanco ended 3-for-5 in place of starter Rod Barajas, whose home run in the bottom of the ninth Friday handed New York a 6-4 win in the series opener. Barajas sat out Saturday's game with an injury to his left index finger.

Jason Bay and Angel Pagan each drove in two runs for the Mets, who are riding the franchise's longest home winning streak since an 11-game tear at Shea Stadium from August 5-24, 2006.

Johan Santana was charged with four runs on eight hits with six strikeouts against zero walks in 7 2/3 innings of work. It was the longest outing by a Mets starter this season and was a noted improvement on Sunday's dreadful performance in which the two-time AL Cy Young winner was battered for 10 runs in just 3 2/3 innings against the Phillies.

Hisanori Takahashi (3-1) was credited with the win after tossing a spotless top half of the 11th.

Aubrey Huff had two RBI for the Giants, who entered this weekend series coming off a three-game road sweep of the Marlins. Juan Uribe and Pablo Sandoval also knocked in a run, while Guillermo Mota (0-1) took the loss.

Todd Wellemeyer was touched for four runs on three hits and five walks in a 4 1/3-inning start.

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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