NEW YORK (AP) - Expected to be an ace, Mike Pelfrey pitched that way against the San Francisco Giants.
The fact that the defending World Series champions trotted out a limited lineup, well, no matter to the New York Mets.
Pelfrey stayed strong into the eighth inning, Carlos Beltran homered and the Mets averted a Giants sweep with a 5-2 win Thursday.
Pelfrey (2-3), supposed to anchor the Mets' rotation while injured Johan Santana recovers this year, began the day with a 7.39 ERA.
"I was overthrowing it, trying to do too much, trying to make things happen," Pelfrey said.
This outing was smoother from the start, and he gave up one earned run and four hits in 7 2-3 innings.
As he told pitching coach Dan Warthen: "It felt like it clicked again. Almost effortless."
San Francisco loaded the bases with one out in the ninth against Francisco Rodriguez, but Miguel Tejada struck out and pinch-hitter Buster Posey grounded out. Rodriguez got four outs and hung on for his seventh save.
"I've seen it before, this guy needs some tension, he needs to be on the edge," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "I wish he wouldn't do that. I'm too old to watch this stuff."
Jose Reyes lined a two-run triple and the Mets took advantage of more wildness from Jonathan Sanchez (2-2) to win for the second time in seven games.
Indians 4, Athletics 3,
12 innings
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Music blared throughout the Cleveland Indians clubhouse. From one track to the next, a few players belted out lyrics. Some could even be heard in the hallway outside.
One this is for sure: the Indians are making noise again.
Jack Hannahan and Lou Marson had RBI singles in the 12th inning, and the Cleveland Indians matched the best start in franchise history with a victory over the Oakland Athletics.
"They're very resilient and they believe in themselves," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "It's early, but the amount of times that we have done it late in the games, really kind of gives them confidence."
A night after their seven-game winning streak was snapped, the Indians won in their final at-bat for the seventh time this season. The 1920 and 1948 - the last time the Indians won the World Series - Indians also started 21-9.
Hannahan's bloop single to left field off reliever Craig Breslow (0-2) provided the go-ahead run, and Marson followed with a single to propel Cleveland to another late-inning rally. Chad Durbin (2-1) pitched two innings for the win and Chris Perez earned his ninth save in 10 chances.
"It just says we don't quit," Perez said. "No matter where we start the rally, we believe that the next guy is going to be able to continue it."
The Athletics couldn't quit match the late-game exploits.
Ryan Sweeney had a career-high five hits and added two RBIs for the Athletics, who wasted another strong performance by starter Brett Anderson. He pitched nine innings and got a no-decision.
