Cuddyer Lifts Mets Over Giants 5-4 to Prevent 3-Game Sweep

Michael Cuddyer singled home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the New York Mets beat the San Francisco Giants 5-4 Thursday night to prevent a three-game sweep.

Curtis Granderson scored twice and drove in a run to help the Mets win on a 91-degree night when chants of "Let's go Giants!" rang out at Citi Field. New York beat the defending World Series champions for only the second time in the past 11 meetings, rebounding from a pair of humbling losses to start the series.

San Francisco rookie Chris Heston pitched a no-hitter in the opener, and Mets ace Matt Harvey was hit hard again the following night. So when New York finally pulled this one out, no doubt it was a relief.

Sergio Romo (0-3) hit Granderson in the back on an 0-2 pitch with one out in the ninth. Granderson advanced to second on Andrew Susac's passed ball and third on Juan Lagares' groundout before Lucas Duda was intentionally walked.

Cuddyer, who had a go-ahead double in the fifth, stroked a sharp single into center field and raised his arm as he headed for first base, just ahead of the swarm of teammates that chased him down to celebrate.

Jeurys Familia (2-0) pitched a scoreless inning for the win.

Jonathon Niese entered 0-4 with a 7.96 ERA in his last five starts but gave the Mets a second consecutive encouraging outing.

The left-hander retired 12 in a row before substitute third baseman Eric Campbell committed a two-out error in the sixth. Brandon Crawford followed with his ninth homer, a long drive into the Giants' bullpen in right-center that gave San Francisco a 4-3 lead.

Niese, who went seven innings, has yielded 11 unearned runs in 12 starts this season. New York has made 13 errors with Niese on the mound, most for any National League team behind one pitcher.

Hunter Strickland gave up three straight Mets hits to the start the seventh, including a leadoff double by pinch-hitter Darrell Ceciliani and Granderson's tying single.

Tim Lincecum held the Mets hitless until Travis d'Arnaud blooped an RBI double with two outs in the fourth. Niese opened the fifth with a double to deep center and scored on Duda's sacrifice fly. Cuddyer put the Mets up 3-2 with a two-out RBI double.

Looking to win his seventh straight decision against New York, Lincecum was lifted after 4 2-3 innings.

The first four batters reached safely against Niese, and San Francisco scored on Buster Posey's run-scoring single and Justin Maxwell's double-play grounder.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Giants: All-Star outfielder Hunter Pence (left wrist tendinitis) missed his seventh straight game and did not take any swings. Giants manager Bruce Bochy said the team will make a decision about putting Pence on the disabled list when it returns home Friday to play Arizona. "Still in a holding pattern with him," Bochy said. A potential replacement from the minors will be ready to meet the club in San Francisco, Bochy said. ... RHP Jake Peavy (back strain) was scheduled to throw about 85 pitches in a rehab start for Triple-A Sacramento. He'll probably make at least one more before the Giants decide whether to activate him from the DL, Bochy said. ... RHP Matt Cain (flexor tendon strain) was slated to throw a bullpen and then make his next rehab start Monday for Sacramento. He probably needs at least three more rehab starts to get ready, Bochy said.

Mets: Former closer Bobby Parnell (Tommy John surgery) and 2B Dilson Herrera (broken finger tip) were activated from the disabled list. RHP Dillon Gee was placed on the bereavement list following the death of his grandmother, and INF Ruben Tejada went on the paternity leave list after the birth of his daughter. ... Rookie C Kevin Plawecki (dizziness) was having more tests and seeing another doctor, GM Sandy Alderson said. ... LHP Jerry Blevins (broken left arm) is healing but is not yet ready to throw. "But I think he's pretty much on track," Alderson said.

UP NEXT

Giants: LHP Madison Bumgarner (7-2) faces Chase Anderson (1-1) and the Diamondbacks on Friday night. San Francisco has lost its last five home games.

Mets: Bartolo Colon (8-4) starts the opener of a three-game series against Alex Wood (4-3) and the Atlanta Braves.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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