Injury-hit Mets show their resolve

Tim Redding pitched seven solid innings to notch up his first win of the season as the injury-riddled New York Mets beat the St Louis Cardinals 6-4 on Monday. Omir Santos had four hits and Daniel Murphy homered for the Mets, who were missing centre fielder Carlos Beltran after he was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a badly bruised knee.

The Mets were already without shortstop Jose Reyes, first baseman Carlos Delgado and three pitchers, but got a morale-boosting win, which was only their second in six games despite their make-shift lineup. "That was a huge win for us," the New York manager Jerry Manuel said. "We got some great pitching when we needed it and a lot of different guys stepped up in a tough situation." Redding (1-2) allowed four runs on five hits with four strikeouts and one walk.

"I told myself we had to get off to a good start, show we're not just going to lay down," Redding said. "Nobody is expecting a lot right now with all the injuries we have but we have to keep going." New York also pounded out 14 hits and managed to keep the in-form St Louis pitcher Albert Pujols in check to move to within one and a half games of the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East.

"We're not as bad as people think we are," said Alex Cora, who hit two RBI singles. "As long as your mind and your effort is consistent, we're going to be fine." Ryan Ludwick and Brendan Ryan both hit home runs for the Cardinals, who had their lead in the NL Central cut to one game over the Milwaukee Brewers with this setback. Todd Wellemeyer (6-7) allowed five runs on 10 hits in five and two thirds innings to take the defeat.

In other action, the Atlanta Braves are four games behind the Phillies after Javier Vazquez and three relievers combined for a 2-0 shut out of the Chicago Cubs. Vasquez gave up nine hits in six and two third innings in a game postponed from June 4 due to rain, but clinched his first win in five games, while Rafael Soriano claimed his sixth save in seven attempts. There were two interleague contests played on Monday.

In Oakland, Bobby Crosby drove in three runs to help the Oakland Athletics to end a run of five straight losses in the Bay Bridge Series with a 5-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants. Finally, Brad Hawpe enjoyed a memorable 30th birthday, belting a three-run homer as the Colorado Rockies romped to a 11-1 win against the Los Angeles Angels for their 17th victory in 18 games.

Seth Smith also homered for the Rockies while the Angels pitchers combined for six wild pitches which ultimately cost their side a share of the lead with the idle Texas Rangers in the American League West. * Reuters