GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NL: SAN FRANCISCO (25-26) at NY METS (33-18)

Hernandez pitches Mets past Giants

<h3>NY METS 4, SAN FRANCISCO 2</h3>FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- Orlando Hernandez pitched wellin his second start since a stint on the disabled list, but thistime he has a win to show for it.

Hernandez settled down after a shaky beginning to pitch sevensolid innings and the New York Mets scored four times in thefirst two innings en route to a 4-2 victory over the SanFrancisco Giants in the rubber game of their three-game series.

The 38-year-old Cuban allowed two runs and two hits in the firstbut dominated thereafter, throwing six hitless innings withjust one walk.

"Some time you you've just got to get your rhythm," New Yorkmanager Willie Randolph said. "Once he settled in and got hisfeel going he was lights out."

Hernandez, who was making his second start after missing a monthwith shoulder bursitis, said he did not make many adjustments.

"I threw the same pitches - curveball, fastball," Hernandezsaid. "Maybe I threw more fastballs after the first inning."

Hernandez, who threw six shutout innings against Florida in hisfirst start back, notched his first win since April 19. He hadbeen victimized by lack of run support as the Mets had scoredtwo runs or less in four of his previous six starts.

"It's OK," said Hernandez of the lack of run support. "I don'tworry about that. I worry about getting outs and helping myteam win. If I do that I'm happy."

Hernandez (3-1) yielded just those two first-inning hits and tworuns in seven innings with three strikeouts and one walk.

Joe Smith worked a scoreless eighth after allowing a leadoffdouble to Fred Lewis.

Billy Wagner recorded the final three outs for his 13th save. Hehas converted a franchise-record 30 consecutive saves.

Giants shortstop Omar Vizquel, who had an RBI triple in thefirst, said the performance was was vintage Hernandez.

"He threw his fastball, changeup and breaking stuff," Vizquelsaid. "He kept everyone off balance. Typically Hernandez,hitting the corners. He threw a great game."

The Mets won for the fifth time in six games, but center fielderCarlos Beltran was forced to leave after just one inning with abruised right knee suffered in a collision while running tofirst base.

Beltran hit a one-hopper to second and collided with RichAurilia at first, bending over to grab his right knee. Hescored on David Wright's double but left after the frame.

"I was in a lot of pain and they took me out of the game. Thedoctor said there will be an MRI tomorrow," Beltran said.

"I know it's going to be swollen," said Beltran who is listed asday-to-day with a bruised right knee. "I am walking good but Ican't put a lot of pressure on it. ... I tried to stay in thegame, but when David hit the ball to left-center I was in a lotof pain running."

Carlos Gomez replaced Beltran in center field.

Giants slugger Barry Bonds, who needs nine home runs to tie HankAaron's all-time record of 755, was hitless in three at-bats.

Hernandez explained his approach against Bonds.

"I just looked for good location," Hernandez said. "He is thebest hitter in the game and I'm not afraid and I'm sure he isnot afraid."

New York gave Hernandez early support with four quick runs offMatt Cain (2-5), who allowed four runs and 10 hits in seveninnings. The Giants fell to 2-9 in Cain's 11 starts thisseason.

However Cain settled down to throw five scoreless innings.

"I wasn't getting ahead of guys early," Cain said. "I justworried about getting ahead of guys. If get ahead I can getthem out."

San Francisco has dropped five of its last six games.

Hernandez labored through the first inning when Randy Winnsingled and scored on a triple to right-center field by Vizquel.Aurilia brought Vizquel home with a sacrifice fly.

The Mets tied it with two runs in their half of the first. JoseReyes walked, stole second, moved to third on a groundout andscored on an infield single by Beltran.

Cain's troubles continued in the second. Damion Easley doubledand Ben Johnson walked before Hernandez moved up both runnerswith a sacrifice.

Reyes lined a run-scoring single to right and Johnson raced homeon a bunt single by Endy Chavez to make it 4-2.