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Beltran helps Mets keep pace with Brewers
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-09-26 14:49
NEW YORK - The New York Mets used a Carlos Beltran RBI single in the ninth inning to beat the Chicago Cubs 7-6 on Thursday and keep pace with the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League wildcard race.

New York Mets batter Carlos Beltran (2nd R) is congratulated by his teammates, including manager Willie Randolph (C partially obscured) after his game winning two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 13th inning of their MLB National League baseball game in New York June 11, 2008. [Agencies]

With three games left in the regular season, the Mets (88-71) stayed tied atop the wildcard with the Brewers (88-71) who defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1.

"We might win this and we might not but we've got a lot of fight in us," Joe Smith told reporters after pitching the ninth inning and collecting the win. "We came up in here after a real tough loss (Wednesday) and then we come and play like we did."

New York came into the contest having lost four of its last five, in part due to an inability to deliver big hits in late innings.

But the Mets halted the recent trend, fighting through rain and a three-run deficit in the last three innings to secure victory.

Ramon Martinez and Robinson Cancel provided RBI singles in the eighth inning off reliever Neal Cotts to tie the game at 6-6.

Then Beltran struck with the game-winner, scoring Jose Reyes as the Mets breathed a sigh of relief.

"We are happy to be where we are. We have three games left, and it's going to be fun," Beltran said.

Starter Pedro Martinez threw six innings, striking out nine batters as he left in the seventh with the game tied 3-3.

Cubs first baseman Micah Hoffpauir blasted a three-run home run in the inning to put New York in trouble.

Rich Harden pitched six innings and allowed three runs for Chicago, which has clinched the NL Central and chose to rest a few key players.

New York pulled to within one game of the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies (89-70), who had the day off. The Mets start their final series against the Florida Marlins on Friday.

In the American League, the Minnesota Twins (87-72) outlasted the Chicago White Sox 7-6 in 10 innings to take a half-game lead in the Central Division.

Second baseman Alexi Casilla singled in the winning run to help the Twins complete the three-game sweep and put the White Sox (86-72) in danger of missing the post-season.