Beltran, Castillo Conquer SD’s Juggernauts

San Diego pitchers Chris Young and Trevor Hoffman are so frugal when it comes to giving up runs, they make Ebenezer Scrooge look like Mother Teresa. But last night, the New York Mets left the two Padre fireballers muttering “Bah, humbug!” after Carlos Beltran tagged Young for four runs and Luis Castillo singled home the winning run off Hoffman in the [Mets’ 7-6 come-from-behind victory].

Beltran (pictured) belted a two-run homer in the first inning and a two-run double in the third off Young—baseball’s ERA leader (2.15)—before adding an RBI single in the eighth inning to knot the game at 5-5. Mets closer Billy Wagner surrendered a run in the top of the ninth, however, so Trevor Hoffman—Major League Baseball’s all-time saves leader—entered the game to shut the door on New York. But Lastings Milledge singled to start the inning and advanced on Mike DiFelice’s sacrifice before pinch-hitter Marlon Anderson tied the contest with an RBI single. Two hitters later, Castillo lined another single up the middle to end the game.

The Mets have now won four straight and with the victory maintained their [five-game lead] over second-place Philadelphia. Unfortunately for New York, [they have to face](http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/preview?gameId=270822121) the league’s second stingiest pitcher Jake Peavy (2.19 ERA) tomorrow, so they’ll once again have to play Scrooge spoiler.