Mets walk off with 4-3 victory over Braves

May 13, 12:09 AMNew York Mets ExaminerAndrew Mees

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Photo: Associated Press

In recent years, a game like this would have almost certainly ended up in the loss column for the Amazin's.

With the offense sputtering behind outstanding starting pitching for the second consecutive night, the Mets trailed the Atlanta Braves 3-0 with just six outs to play. 

But on a team devoid of a vocal captain, Carlos Beltran showed his dwindling detractors why a true leader need say nothing at all. 

After shortstop Jose Reyes brought the Mets to within a run with a two-run double in the eighth, Beltran lead off the bottom of the ninth with a double off Braves closer Mike Gonzalez.  After David Wright popped out to first in foul territory, the man known for his "safety first" approach to base- stealing swiped third, a daring gamble that turned out to be the play of the game.  Pinch hitter Luis Castillo then flied to left, scoring Beltran and knotting the score at three.

In his first two-inning outting of the season, closer Francisco Rodriguez shut down Atlanta in the tenth, but the Mets offense produced two quick outs off reliever Jeff Bennett.  But the game's premier offensive igniter stepped in next, and Reyes kept the inning alive with a single.  He then stole second, forcing Atlanta to intentionally walk Alex Cora to pitch to pinch hitter Ramon Castro.  But he also drew a walk, loading the bases for Beltran, the man who'd scored the tieing run just an inning earlier.  He never took the bat off his shoulder, and Bennett issued his third consecutive walk to the night's hero, securing the Mets' highway robbery of a 4-3 win.

Fans at Citi Field were treated to an extremely well-pitched ballgame for the second straight night, as Mike Pelfrey's seven innings and two earned runs were matched by Jair Jurrjens' seven and two-thirds innings of two-run ball.  Atlanta managed single runs in the fourth and sixth off Pelfrey, while reliever JJ Putz surrendered the third run in the eighth on an RBI double by Brian McCann. 

The clubs take the field again tomorrow for the rubber match of their three-game set.  Rookie southpaw Jon Niese will take the bump for New York, opposite Jo-Jo Reyes for Atlanta.  First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 PM. 

For More Info:  Check out the Associated Press wrap-up.