SAN DIEGO, May 19 (UPI) -- Roberto Alomar connected for a two-run homer and Joe McEwing added a two-run single -- both in the first inning -- as the New York Mets posted their fifth
straight victory, a 5-2 triumph over the San Diego Padres Saturday night.
New York opened a 10-game road trip on Monday with its eight loss in nine games but has recovered since that point. The Mets have limited their opponents to 10 runs in the last six games.
The Mets got the offense going early when Roger Cedeno led off with a single and Alomar followed with his fourth homer off Padres starter Brett Tomko (3-3). Mo Vaughn singled and Mike Piazza doubled down the left field line.
Tomko finally registered an out when struggling Jeromy Burnitz tapped the ball in front of home plate and was easily thrown out as the runners moved up. McEwing came through with his hit to right-center field for a 4-0 lead.
New York starter Shawn Estes (2-4) pitched six innings and allowed two runs and seven hit. Estes, who struck out four, was hit twice by comebackers, including a shot by Ray Lankford in the sixth inning that glanced off his left shoulder.
David Weathers tossed a hitless seventh and Scott Strickland worked a scoreless eighth for the Mets. Closer Armando Benitez pitched a perfect ninth for his eighth save in as many chances.
