Those Mets

WALK OFF MAGIC CONTINUES

For the second consecutive game against the San Francisco Giants, the Mets stuck to the same script. It was not a perfect plot, but if they can keep repeating it, the show could become a long-running hit. Once again at Citi Field, they got a strong performance from a starting pitcher who had faltered in his previous outing. Once again, that pitcher left in the eighth inning with a lead that was squandered by the bullpen. Once again, the Mets responded by winning it on a home run by a veteran catcher into the lower left-field corner on the final pitch of the game. This time the curtain call was earned by Henry Blanco, who led off the bottom of the 11th with a belt into gusty winds off the Giants’ Guillermo Mota to give the Mets a 5-4 victory. It was their ninth consecutive win at home. “I didn’t think it was going to go out,” Blanco said. “First time in my career I’ve done that. I don’t hit too many. I was running hard. The umpire said, ‘Relax, it’s a home run.’ It’s an unbelievable feeling.” It was the first home run of the season for Blanco and the 59th of a career that began with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1997. On Friday night, Mike Pelfrey started for the Mets but did not figure in the decision in a 6-4 Mets victory on a ninth-inning home run by Rod Barajas. Blanco started Saturday because Barajas had a sore finger after being struck by a Giants batter Friday night on a botched pitchout. Manager Jerry Manuel did consider using Barajas as a pinch-hitter. The Mets signed Blanco and Barajas as free agents in the off-season after they failed to come to terms with Bengie Molina, the Giants’ catcher, who left Saturday’s game with a hamstring injury. Johan Santana started the game for the Mets and worked amid swirling winds reminiscent of Candlestick Park, the Giants’ former park. Gusts constantly sent waves of litter across the field. Santana was coming off the worst outing of his career; he gave up 10 earned runs and 8 hits in three and two-thirds innings during an 11-5 defeat in Philadelphia last Sunday night. He said after Saturday’s game that he might have been tipping his pitches in his previous start. He adjusted his delivery by holding his hands lower and relaxing his shoulders. “I couldn’t wait for today,” said Santana, who gave up four runs and eight hits while striking out six with no walks in seven and two-thirds innings. Five relief pitchers worked after him. The victory went to the last one, Hisanori Takahashi, the 35-year-old from Japan, who improved his record to 3-1 and lowered his earned run average to 3.20 with a flawless 11th inning. Referring to the Mets’ catchers and speaking through an interpreter, Takahashi said: “Those two guys are like my big brothers. When catchers hit home runs, teams go into a good mood.” Takahashi, like Blanco and Barajas, is a veteran ballplayer who is new to the New York scene and has helped alter the personality of a team that went 70-92 last season. Other newcomers who have contributed lately include the free-agent acquisition Jason Bay (with two runs batted in Saturday) and the rookie Ike Davis (with two home runs Friday night). With a 4-2 lead, Santana started the eighth inning by giving up two sharp singles and a lineout to shortstop by Andres Torres. Pablo Sandoval followed with a sacrifice fly to cut the lead to 4-3. Fernando Nieve replaced Santana, and Eli Whiteside singled. Manuel then brought in Pedro Feliciano, who gave up a single to Aubrey Huff that tied the score at 4-4. That set the stage for Blanco’s game-wining home run in extra innings. Barajas, the Mets’ regular catcher, was still feeling pain in his index finger. Manuel said Barajas might play in the series finale Sunday, and he praised both veteran catchers for more than just the way they swung their bats. “These guys have done a tremendous job with the pitching staff,” Manuel said. “They’ve obviously got some big hits. It’s a good duo. They’re also quality men — good clubhouse presence.”