Mets (10 in a row) back on top
David Wright's two-run homer in the ninth inning rallied the Mets to their 10th straight victory last night in Cincinnati, a 10-8 win over the Reds that moved once-languishing New York back into first place in the NL East.
Playing on the one-month anniversary of manager Willie Randolph's firing, the Mets blew three leads before coming full circle with four runs in the ninth off closer Francisco Cordero (4-2).
The Mets were 6 1/2 games out when they changed managers, fearful that they were playing themselves out of contention with an underachieving offense. Their 10th straight win completed the turnaround - they're tied for first with Philadelphia, back in the top spot for the first time since April 19.
Down to their last two outs, the Mets rallied against Cordero, who blew a save for the fifth time in 24 chances. Argenis Reyes singled, and Wright - an All-Star designated hitter at Yankee Stadium Tuesday night - hit a tying homer to right field that barely eluded the glove of leaping Ken Griffey.
Carlos Delgado had a tiebreaking single off Cordero, smacking his hands and pumping his firsts as he rounded first base. Fernando Tatis doubled home another run to complete the comeback.
Tigers 6, Orioles 5 - Gary Sheffield and Brandon Inge hit two-run homers, Marcus Thames added a solo shot, and Detroit resumed its playoff drive with a victory in Baltimore.
Kenny Rogers (7-6) allowed four runs and 11 hits in six gritty innings for the Tigers, who moved within 6 1/2 games of first-place Chicago in the AL Central. Detroit has won 24 of 35 since June 6.
Todd Jones, the fifth Detroit pitcher, worked the ninth for his 18th save.
Cardinals 4, Padres 3 - Troy Glaus hit two homers and Rick Ankiel and Joe Mather added one each - all off Jake Peavy - for host St. Louis.
Peavy (7-6), who had won his previous four starts against the Cardinals, gave up eight hits and struck out seven in seven innings. Kyle Lohse (12-2) won his ninth straight decision.
Rockies 5, Pirates 3 - Chris Iannetta homered and drove in three runs and Ubaldo Jimenez (5-9) pitched seven innings to lead host Colorado, which snapped a four-game losing streak.
Garrett Atkins's one-out double in the sixth inning tied the score at 3, and one pitch later Iannetta hit his 10th homer to make it 5-3.
