Pedro gets pounded, leaves hurt as Phils beat on Mets

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Pedro Martinez felt a twinge in his calf

before the game, and felt the effects during a terrible first

inning.

The New York Mets could only hope a bad outing was the worst of

his problems.

Elias Says

Pedro Martinez allowed six runs in only one inning Monday, ending his streak of 289 consecutive starts in which he lasted at least three innings. That was the longest streak of starts going at least three innings for any major league pitcher since Walter Johnson went at least three in 313 straight starts from 1911 through 1919. The last time Pedro did not record at least nine outs was almost exactly 10 years ago, on Aug. 19, 1996, when he allowed six runs and got only four outs at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego. Entering the day, the only pitcher with a current streak of going at least three innings even half as long as Pedro's was Roger Clemens, who has done it in each of his last 188 starts (since 2000). • For more Elias Says, Click here.

Martinez strained his right calf and left after giving up six

runs Monday night, and the Philadelphia Phillies went on to romp

13-0.

Martinez was listed as day-to-day. The Mets said the three-time

Cy Young winner -- who missed a month earlier this season because of

an inflamed right hip -- felt the strain while warming up.

Mets manager Willie Randolph said Martinez left for New York and

would be examined Tuesday. Randolph wanted to wait until he had

test results to determine if Martinez would make his next start.

"He felt a twinge out there, but he felt like if it got loose,

he could go out there and give us what he had," Randolph said.

Martinez (9-5) gave up six runs in an opening inning for the

first time in his career, the Elias Sports Bureau said. It was his

second-shortest start ever -- on June 20, 1995, he got only two outs

for Montreal while allowing five runs to Houston.

"The concern, obviously, is that he's OK," Randolph said. "I

want to wait and see when the dust settles where we stand."

While the Mets are worried about their present ace, it was

another strong outing for Philadelphia's future one.

Cole Hamels (5-6) pitched eight shutout innings as the Phillies

kept up their pursuit of the wild-card spot.

Jimmy Rollins, David Dellucci and Shane Victorino homered.

Rollins' three-run homer shot was his 18th, setting a single season

record for Phillies shortstops.

The Mets still have the best record in the league and lead

Philadelphia by 14 games in the NL East. Yet in a season in which

most everything has gone right for them, this was not what they

wanted to see.

Martinez never looked all that comfortable in his fourth start

since coming off the disabled list. He gave up four hits, hit two

batters, walked one and committed a balk. He threw only 35 pitches

before Darren Oliver relieved.

Martinez tested his tender calf on his first batter, running

toward first on Rollins' infield hit. Rollins stole second and

scored on Chase Utley's single.

From there, Martinez unraveled. His errant pickoff attempt sent

Utley to second and after a hit and a walk, Martinez hit Aaron Rowand to force in another run.

That prompted a quick visit from pitching coach Rick Peterson --

the first sign something was wrong, and the first opportunity for

the Philly faithful to start a derisive "Ped-ro!" chant.

It got worse for Martinez. The Phillies made it 3-0 after

first-base umpire Eric Cooper called a balk, and Martinez started a

brief argument.

Martinez hit another batter to reload the bases and

light-hitting Abraham Nunez lined a double that got past center

fielder Carlos Beltran, scoring all three runners for a 6-0 lead.

"I think he was more disappointed he had to come out,"

Randolph said. "He kind of said he wanted to get back out there."

Peterson said there was no way the Mets would take any chances

and let Martinez toss another inning. He said Martinez didn't seem

too concerned about the calf before the game and that all veteran

pitches throw with some kind of aches and pains.

"He knows how to manage it," Peterson said. "That's what he's

learned to do."

While Martinez faltered, Hamels was phenomenal. The rookie

left-hander had his fourth straight strong start, and overpowered

the Mets in his longest outing of the season.

Hamels walked none, stuck out nine and allowed only one runner

to reach second, on Lastings Milledge's double leading off the

third inning.

"Everything was working well tonight," Hamels said. "Throwing

my curveball for strikes was big for me."

After losing two of three to wild card-leading Cincinnati over

the weekend, Hamels put them on the right track.

"He's going to be a very good pitcher," Manuel said. "The

more experience he gets, the better he'll get. I like everything

about him."

Dellucci hit a solo homer in the third, and Rollins and

Victorino had back-to-back shots in the fifth for a 13-0 lead.

Rollins passed Granny Hamner, who hit 17 in 1952, for most homers

in one season by a Phillies shortstop.

Game Notes
CF Rowand made a nice diving catch to rob Chris Woodward of

a hit in the second. ... The Phillies hit back-to-back homers for

third time this season. ... The Phillies have homered in 13

straight games. ... Rowand was hit by a pitch for the 17th time

this season, the second-highest total in team history.