Beltran, Mets mount late comeback to clip Dodgers

NEW YORK (AP) -- Carlos Beltran is supposed to get big hits for the New York Mets. Fernando Tatis, however, has been quite a surprise.

Beltran hit a tying homer and Tatis singled home the go-ahead run in the eighth inning, rallying the resurgent Mets to a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday.

Mike Pelfrey tossed seven solid innings to keep New York close, making a strong case to stay in the majors. Stifled all afternoon by starter Chad Billingsley, the Mets (27-27) came back against Jonathan Broxton to win for the fourth time in five games following a 1-7 skid.

The Mets improved to 3-23 when trailing after seven innings.

"When the talent is in the room, it won't take that long to turn it around," Carlos Delgado said. "We have to continue to grind it out."

Blake DeWitt hit an RBI single for the Dodgers, who dropped to 1-5 on their seven-game road trip with their seventh loss in nine games overall. They'll face Johan Santana in the finale of the four-game series Sunday night.

"Billingsley pitched his tail off," Los Angeles manager Joe Torre said. "He did his job. We couldn't finish it off for him."

Billingsley wriggled out of trouble for seven innings and handed a 2-0 lead to Broxton (2-2), who squandered it in a span of four pitches. David Wright opened the eighth with a double and Beltran, guessing right that he'd get a second consecutive slider, drove an 0-1 pitch to right field for his fifth home run.

"As soon as I hit it I knew it was gone," Beltran said. "Every day I feel better. I know that I'm not having the kind of season that I expected, but I'm not worried about myself."

Delgado singled on an 0-2 pitch, Damion Easley sacrificed and Brian Schneider was intentionally walked. Tatis, a former castoff who hit a game-winning double Wednesday night against Florida, then grounded a single up the middle that scored pinch-runner Nick Evans without a play.

"It's a long story," said the 33-year-old Tatis, out of pro ball from 2004-05. "But to make it short, my kids told me they wanted to see me play in the big leagues. ... It's hard work to be here."

Duaner Sanchez (2-0) pitched a perfect eighth for the win and Billy Wagner struck out all three batters in the ninth for his 11th save in 13 chances.

"It's always tough to go out there and blow the lead," Broxton said quietly.

Pelfrey recovered from a shaky start, retiring his final 12 batters to finish with six strikeouts and one walk. He had lost six straight starts, though he carried a no-hit bid into the seventh May 15 against Washington.

The 24-year-old right-hander might have been pitching to keep his spot in the big leagues. New York must make a roster move before Pedro Martinez comes off the disabled list Tuesday night in San Francisco, and Pelfrey is a prime candidate to be optioned to the minors.

The Mets also have said they might consider shifting Pelfrey to the bullpen.

"I'm not going to worry about that. It's their decision," Pelfrey said. "I thought it was a positive outing and a step in the right direction."

Juan Pierre opened the game with a single and coasted into third when Matt Kemp followed with a soft single to right. Kemp tried to stretch it into a double and would have been out easily, but shortstop Jose Reyes couldn't handle Chavez's accurate, one-hop throw.

Reyes' error allowed Pierre to score and left Kemp on third, but Pelfrey averted further damage.

Russell Martin worked a leadoff walk in the fourth, went to third on Andre Ethier's single and scored on another single by DeWitt to make it 2-0. But after falling behind 3-1 on Luis Maza, Pelfrey got a calming visit from Delgado and didn't allow another baserunner.

"We call it a good meeting," Delgado said with a smile.

Game notes
Torre got his first major league managing job 31 years ago Saturday when he was hired by the Mets, becoming the NL's first player-manager since St. Louis' Solly Hemus in 1959. ... New York 2B Luis Castillo didn't start because of a strained left hip flexor, though he said the injury was actually located in his upper quad. Castillo, hurt in Friday night's game, said he was sore Saturday but didn't think he would be out long. He pinch-hit in the eighth and is day-to-day. Easley started at second base. ... New York RF Ryan Church missed his 11th straight start with a concussion -- his second in less than three months. Church worked out before the game and said he felt better. He might start Sunday night if he feels OK. ... Mets RHP Matt Wise (rotator cuff tendinitis) plans to fly to California on Sunday to get a second opinion on his injured shoulder from Dr. Lewis Yocum. ... Reyes pushed his hitting streak to 16 games. He has reached base safely in 31 straight. ... Kent Desormeaux, jockey for Triple Crown hopeful Big Brown, is slated to throw out the first pitch Sunday night.