Mets fire back, salvage split

Randolph's pick in pinch wins Game 2

The Mets hoped for a strong start from Pedro Martínez in Game 2 against Texas, and Martínez delivered by allowing just two runs over six innings. (Kathy Willens/Associated Press)

Here's the scenario: The bases are loaded in a tie game. Fans at Shea Stadium are chanting, "We want Pedro!"

What does New York's beleaguered manager Willie Randolph do? He calls on a pinch hitter who last played in the major leagues almost nine years ago.

Talk about being on the hot seat.

That pinch hitter, Robinson Cancel, helped make Pedro Martínez a winner in his season debut at home by grounding a two-run single to give the Mets a 4-2 win over the Texas Rangers yesterday for a doubleheader split.

"I just felt like we had to take a crack at it," Randolph said of his decision to pinch hit for Martínez in the sixth. "Cancel made me look good for a minute."

Perhaps not good enough. After the game, Mets general manager Omar Minaya would not commit to repeated questions about Randolph's job security saying, "These are our coaches today. They are our coaches. As the GM I leave myself room to evaluate things. I think we're not playing to our potential. I always leave room to evaluate things."

Billy Wagner ended his skid of three straight blown saves and David Wright had three hits for his first multihit game in two weeks for the Mets. Carlos Beltran followed up a homer and two RBIs in the first game with a run-scoring single as New York took two of three from Texas before heading for California.

"We wanted to make the trip a little more pleasant," Randolph said of the win. "I'm glad I'm going."

He then quickly added, "Maybe I'm speaking a little too soon."

Martínez (2-0) gave up six hits and two runs - one earned - in his third start since coming off the disabled list June 3. His four strikeouts all ended innings and he showed his intense side, arguing with Marlon Byrd after Byrd took exception to Martinez's deliberate pace after Byrd had called timeout on the pitch.

In the opener, Kevin Millwood (5-3) pitched six solid innings and the Rangers hit three homers in an 8-7 victory. It was Millwood's first road win since last Father's Day.

Indians 7, Padres 3 - Indians ace C.C. Sabathia outpitched Padres veteran Greg Maddux in a matchup of Cy Young winners, and Ben Francisco had a three-run homer for host Cleveland.

Sabathia (5-8) struck out 10 and allowed three runs over eight innings. Maddux (3-5) remained winless since May 10. He allowed just two earned runs over six innings, but also hit a batter, threw a wild pitch, and even made an uncharacteristic error - just the 52d of his 23-year career - that led to three unearned runs.

Cubs 7, Blue Jays 3 - Ted Lilly (7-5) won for the sixth time in seven decisions, tossing six scoreless innings as Chicago took the rubber game of its series in Toronto.

Cardinals 7, Phillies 6 - Rick Ankiel scored from second on Philadelphia's second error at first base in the 10th, giving St. Louis a home victory in which the Phillies stranded 15 men and left the bases loaded four times.

Pirates 5, Orioles 4 - Adam LaRoche singled in the tiebreaking run off Orioles closer George Sherrill (2-2) in the 10th, and Pittsburgh ended a run of seven straight interleague defeats by dodging a three-game sweep in Baltimore.

Angels 2, Braves 0 - Joe Saunders (10-3) and two relievers combined on a six-hitter, and host Los Angeles received a two-run homer from Casey Kotchman in the fifth.

Tigers 5, Dodgers 4 - Host Detroit won its sixth in a row, getting six shutout innings from Nate Robertson (5-6) and back-to-back homers from Marcus Thames and Brandon Inge.

Rockies 5, White Sox 3 - Brad Hawpe smacked a go-ahead solo homer in the sixth for visiting Colorado, helping Aaron Cook (10-3) set a career high for victories.

Brewers 4, Twins 2 - Mike Cameron's two-run homer helped host Milwaukee break a six-game skid in interleague play.

Nationals 6, Mariners 2 - Washington finished a three-game sweep in Seattle thanks to Kory Casto's pinch-hit, three-run homer that broke an eighth-inning tie.

Marlins 9, Rays 3 - Ricky Nolasco (7-4) struck out 12 over 8 2/3 innings and visiting Florida broke a three-game skid.

Royals 8, Diamondbacks 3 - David DeJesus hit his first career grand slam as Kansas City rolled in Phoenix.

Athletics 5, Giants 3 - Oakland swept host San Francisco for the second straight time, getting two RBIs from Eric Chavez.