MLB: New York Mets 5, Milwaukee 4

NEW YORK, April 17 (UPI) -- Gary Sheffield hit his 500th career homer Friday and Luis Castillo won it with a ninth-inning single, giving the New York Mets a 5-4 decision over Milwaukee.

Milwaukee overcame an early 3-0 deficit to take a 4-3 lead into the seventh inning, but Sheffield tied it with his milestone blast -- a shot to left off reliever Mitch Stetter.

The game remained tied into the bottom of the ninth, which Carlos Delgado opened with a double off Seth McClung (0-1). After Carlos Beltran struck out, Ryan Church was walked intentionally.

Omir Santos grounded out to shortstop, but the runners moved up and Delgado was able to score from third on Castillo's slowly hit grounder between second and third that did not make it out of the infield.

J.J. Putz (1-1) worked the top of the ninth to get the victory.

Sheffield became the 25th player to reach 500 home runs in a major league career. He is the first to do it since Manny Ramirez got to that plateau last May 31.

Milwaukee has dropped 7-of-10 to start the season. The Mets reached the .500 mark after 10 games.