NEW YORK, July 8 (UPI) -- Luis Castillo ended New York's run drought at 23 innings Wednesday with an RBI single in the second and the Mets went on to edge the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-4.
New York ended a four-game losing streak and won for just the third time in 12 games, getting an unearned run during a three-run third and holding on in the ninth after a Manny Ramirez homer had brought the Dodgers with one.
Oliver Perez (2-2), in his return from the disabled list, survived five innings to get the win. He walked seven, but allowed only four hits and two runs. Perez had been out of action since early May due to soreness in his right knee.
Hiroki Kuroda (3-5) took the loss, surrendering eight hits and five runs over 4 1/3. It was his shortest outing of the season.
David Wright and Jeremy Reed had RBI singles in the third and the Mets also scored in that inning when Los Angeles third baseman Casey Blake booted a ground ball by Ryan Church.
The Mets took a two-run lead into the ninth and Francisco Rodriguez picked up his 22nd save.
Rodriguez, however, gave up a lead-off homer to Ramirez. It was the 535th of his career, moving him within one of Mickey Mantle for 15th place on the all-time list.
The Dodgers then put runners on first and second with one away before Rodriguez got Andre Ethier to ground into a double play.
