James Shields threw seven strong innings to remain unbeaten and Will Middlebrooks drove in three runs as the San Diego Padres won a home series for the first time in a month with a 7-3 victory over the New York Mets on Wednesday night.
Shields (7-0) cruised through five innings, permitting just one runner to reach second base. The right-hander allowed two runs and six hits overall. He struck out four, walked two and used three double plays to avoid major damage.
Shields set his personal best for consecutive wins to start the season. He began 6-0 with Tampa Bay in 2006.
The Mets were hurt by three errors two by fill-in third baseman Ruben Tejada that led to three unearned runs. Winless starter Dillon Gee, just off the disabled list, also hit a batter with a pitch with the bases loaded.
After trailing 7-0, the Mets brought the potential tying run to the plate in the ninth. But slugger Lucas Duda grounded out with the bases loaded against Craig Kimbrel to end it.
Darrell Ceciliani was thrown out earlier at third base when Padres right fielder Matt Kemp, who caught a fly ball, fired a one-hop strike to Middlebrooks.
The Padres took two of three from New York to win their first home series since sweeping a three-game set against Colorado from May 1-3.
Local
San Diego ran its record against the Mets at Petco Park to 26-14, its best winning percentage against a National League club.
The Padres have lost only one series (9-1-2) to New York since Petco Park opened in 2004.
Middlebrooks had a sacrifice fly in the first when the Padres used Tejada's throwing error, a walk and Yonder Alonso getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to go ahead 2-0.
Middlebrooks also had a two-run single in the three-run fifth that knocked Gee from the game.
Gee (0-3) allowed seven runs four earned on eight singles in four-plus innings. He couldn't overcome the Mets' miscues, including his own throwing error on a play at the plate.
Gee made his first start in a month after going on the DL with a groin strain. His return marked the beginning of the Mets' experiment with a six-man rotation, a move designed to protect their young pitchers.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Mets: LF Michael Cuddyer (sore neck) was held out of the lineup.
Padres: RHP Brandon Morrow (right shoulder inflammation) made his first rehab start Tuesday night with Double-A San Antonio. Morrow threw 54 pitches in four scoreless innings with one walk and no strikeouts.
UP NEXT
Mets: RHP Matt Harvey has lost three consecutive decisions, tying his career high, heading into the opener of a four-game series at Arizona on Thursday night.
Padres: After a day off, RHP Tyson Ross will try to win for just the second time in 10 starts as the club opens a seven-game road trip Friday at Cincinnati.
