Wright's drive caps Mets' comeback win over D-Backs

NEW YORK (AP) -- David Wright is developing a pretty good sense

for the dramatic and an ability to turn games around for the New

York Mets.

Elias Says
The Mets' 8-7 victory over Arizona improved New York's record to 10-0 this season in series openers at Shea Stadium, with the past six each coming in walkoff fashion! That's a major league record for consecutive walkoff wins in home series openers, breaking a mark the Mets shared with the 1966 White Sox. • For more Elias Says, Click here

Four times this season, the third baseman has had game-ending

RBI for New York. The latest came Monday night when his

bases-loaded single completed a ninth-inning rally in an 8-7

victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

"The big thing is to relax," Wright said. "Don't get caught

up in the moment. You have to want to be up there with the game on

the line."

There is no one the Mets would prefer in that situation these

days. Wright leads the team in hitting at .332 and has an uncanny

knack for being in the middle of rallies. His youth is a non-factor

with manager Willie Randolph.

"It doesn't matter," Randolph said. "He's been our leader."

The Mets pulled the game out in the bottom of the ninth against

Arizona closer Jose Valverde (2-3) who was also stung for a two-run

walkoff homer when the Diamondbacks lost in Cincinnati on Sunday.

Endy Chavez, who came into the game in a double switch at the

start of the ninth, opened the inning with a double and dashed home

on a single by Jose Reyes to tie the game. Reyes had failed to

sacrifice twice before delivering the hit.

"I was angry with myself (for failing to sacrifice), Reyes

said. "Now I've got to put the ball in the right place." He did,

chasing Chavez home to tie the score.

Paul Lo Duca followed with his fourth hit of the game, sending

Reyes to third. After Arizona walked Carlos Beltran intentionally

to load the bases, Carlos Delgado struck out.

With the infield in, Wright ripped a shot over the head of Eric

Byrnes, scoring the winning run. He was credited with a single.

"When Delgado struck out, I wasn't paying attention, because

nine times out of 10, he comes through," Wright said. "On deck, I

was think about who to rush out to congratulate."

Turns out the Mets rushed out to congratulate him.

Duaner Sanchez (2-0) pitched the ninth for the victory.

Chad Tracy hit a three-run homer off reliever Aaron Heilman in

the seventh inning to put the Diamondbacks in front. Byrnes had a

pair of home runs for the Diamondbacks, who lost their second

straight after a five-game winning streak.

Cliff Floyd and Jose Valentin had hit sixth-inning home runs for

the Mets, breaking a tie and giving New York a 6-4 lead.

Heilman relieved for New York and walked pinch-hitter Jeff

DaVanon leading off the seventh. DaVanon stole second and moved to

third on a single by Craig Counsell. After Byrnes took a called

third strike, Tracy followed with his ninth home run of the season,

a 400-foot shot over the right-field fence on an 0-2 pitch.

"We put ourselves in position to win," Arizona manager Bob

Melvin said. "It didn't work out. It was a great game. It ended in

the wrong direction."

Melvin was concerned with Valverde, who has suffered

ninth-inning meltdowns in two straight games.

"The last four times, he's struggled," the manager said.

"He's a guy who's been good for us, real good for us."

Floyd opened the sixth inning with his sixth homer, giving the

Mets the lead. One out later, Valentin, who drove in three runs,

hit his third homer of the season. Both homers came against Arizona

starter Claudio Vargas.

Byrnes had tied the score at 4-4 for the Diamondbacks in the

fifth with his second home run of the game against Mets starter

Steve Trachsel. Byrnes gave the Diamondbacks the lead in the first

inning when he hit his seventh home run of the season.

The Mets came back in the second against Vargas.

New York loaded the bases with none out on walks to Wright and

Xavier Nady sandwiched around a double by Floyd. Valentin drove in

two runs with a single and Reyes delivered another run on an

infield out. Lo Duca followed with his second double of the game,

making it 4-1.

In the fourth, Conor Jackson's leadoff pop fly fell for a single

and he went to third on a double by Shawn Green. Johnny Estrada and

Orlando Hudson then delivered sacrifice flies, cutting the Mets

lead to 4-3.

Byrnes tied it an inning later, hitting Trachsel's first pitch

deep into the left field bleachers. It was the fourth multihomer

game of Byrnes' career.Game notes
The start of the game was delayed 39 minutes by rain and

play was delayed again for 51 minutes after the second inning. ...

Lo Duca's four hits and extended his hitting streak to 13 games,

longest for the Mets this season. ... Byrnes' last multihomer game

came July 30, 2004 with Oakland.