MLB: N.Y. Mets 5, San Francisco 0

NEW YORK, July 9 (UPI) -- Ramon Castro hit a three-run homer Wednesday and four New York pitchers teamed on a three-hitter in bringing the Mets a 5-0 win over San Francisco.

The Mets won for the sixth time in eight games and stayed within 2 1/2 games of division-leading Philadelphia in the National League East.

Castro's homer came in the fourth off Jonathan Sanchez (8-5), who left the game after four innings. Both Argenis Reyes and Jose Reyes singled in runs in the eighth to complete the scoring.

Johan Santana (8-7) gave up three hits over five innings to get the win. The last 13 Giants were retired in order -- one by Santana, six by Aaron Heilman, three by Duaner Sanchez and three by Joe Smith.

New York managed only one hit during the first three innings and the first two batters were retired in the fourth. But Carlos Delgado reached on a double, Fernando Tatis drew a walk and Castro hit a 1-2 pitch to left-center for his third home run of the season.