Gonzalez’s 11th-inning grand slam lifts Padres to 5-1 win over Mets

Gonzalez’s slam lifts Padres to 5-1 win over Mets

SAN DIEGO — Adrian Gonzalez hit a grand slam with one out in the 11th inning to lift the San Diego Padres to a 5-1 win Wednesday over the New York Mets, who wasted another strong performance by Johan Santana.

It was the third career grand slam and second career game-winning home run for the All-Star first baseman, coming on a 1-1 pitch from Raul Valdes (2-2).

After Tony Gwynn Jr. doubled leading off the 11th, Padres right-hander Jon Garland made the second pinch-hitting appearance of his career, laying down a bunt that Valdes fielded and threw to third to get Gwynn. Jerry Hairston Jr. singled and David Eckstein, who singled in the tying run with two outs in the ninth, was hit on the left knee by a pitch from Raul Valdes (2-2) to load the bases.

Gonzalez then homered into the left-field seats.

The Mets wasted a second straight strong performance by Santana, who has thrown 15 straight scoreless innings in his last two starts but has two no-decisions to show for his efforts.

Francisco Rodriguez was one strike away from saving a 1-0 victory for Santana when Eckstein singled up the middle to bring in Gwynn from second with the tying run. Gwynn hit a leadoff pinch-hit single and stole second before Rodriguez struck out pinch-hitter Matt Stairs and Jerry Hairston Jr. Eckstein fell behind 0-2 before getting his hit.

Eckstein tried to score on Adrian Gonzalez’s double to left but was thrown out at the plate on David Wright’s relay throw to Henry Blanco. It was the third blown save in 13 chances for Rodriguez.

In his previous start, Santana pitched eight scoreless innings but didn’t get the decision in a 2-0 loss at Milwaukee on Friday night. Manager Jerry Manuel said the next day that he never consulted with Santana before pulling him after 105 pitches. Manuel said he didn’t want Santana to face Prince Fielder and the heart of the Brewers’ order despite allowing just three hits.

Santana threw 123 pitches in seven innings on Wednesday, allowing five hits, striking out three and walking a season-high five.

It was the fourth extra-inning game in San Diego’s last 10 home games.

Ryan Webb (2-1) pitched two scoreless innings to earn the win.

After San Diego set a Petco Park scoring record with its 18-6 victory Monday night, life returned to normal at the spacious downtown ballpark. The Mets won 4-1 on Tuesday night.

San Diego starter Clayton Richard allowed one run and four hit in six innings, struck out five and walked four.

Jason Bay scored New York’s run in the fourth. He singled to left-center leading off the fourth, stole second, advanced on Wright’s blooper over first baseman Adrian Gonzalez’s head and came in on Francouer’s single to right.

NOTES: Mets 2B Luis Castillo sat out again, this time with a problem with his right heel that has developed along with his bruised left foot. … Padres OF Scott Hairston was activated from the 15-day disabled list and started in center. His older brother, Jerry Hairston Jr., started at shortstop. To make room for Hairston, the Padres optioned OF Luis Durango to Triple-A Portland. Hairston was placed on the DL with a strained left hamstring. He has hit .247 with six home runs and 14 RBIs.