For Martinez, it's a special delivery
He beats Braves for 200th victory
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Mets ace Pedro Martínez makes his point against the Braves, pitching into the seventh inning while earning his 200th win.
(AP Photo) |
NEW YORK -- Pedro Martínez's 200th win meant a lot to the New York Mets for another reason: It came against Atlanta.
Martínez became the seventh current major league pitcher with 200 victories, and New York edged the Braves last night, 4-3, in the first of 18 meetings this season between the NL East rivals.
''It's a great accomplishment," Martínez said in front of a large banner commemorating his milestone. ''This is probably one of the biggest things that's happened in my career, because of how far I've come from the first day and all the doubts about my body type."
Carlos Delgado and Xavier Nady each homered and drove in two runs for the Mets (10-2), who improved the best record in baseball and extended the fastest start in franchise history.
They did it without star center fielder Carlos Beltran, who sat out with a tight right hamstring. New York also lost left fielder Cliff Floyd to a strained muscle in his rib cage.
Andruw Jones hit his fifth homer and second in two days for the Braves, missing injured third baseman Chipper Jones and shortstop Edgar Renteria.
Tagged by Delgado again, Jorge Sosa (0-3) lasted only four-plus innings.
Nady and Paul Lo Duca finished with three hits apiece for the Mets, who have been chasing Atlanta for years. This season, they think they have the talent to finally end the Braves' record run of 14 consecutive division titles.
''It's a big win. This is a big series. For April, this is as big as it's going to get," Lo Duca said. ''We've got to dethrone these guys."
Martínez (3-0) struck out eight in 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs and six hits. He left to a loud ovation and waved his arms to the crowd of 36,867.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner is 200-84, the fewest losses for any of the 103 pitchers with 200 wins.
