Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - John Lackey gave up just one run and six hits as the LA Angels of Anaheim downed the New York Mets, 6-1, in the first game of the post-Willie Randolph era for New York.
Shortly after the Mets defeated the Angels, 9-6, on Monday, Randolph, who had been on the hot seat after last season's late collapse and a poor start to this campaign, was fired as manager. Bench coach Jerry Manuel was named the interim manager.
Randolph was in his fourth season as Mets manager and posted a record of 302-253. The club was just 34-35 this season under Randolph and currently sits 6 1/2 games behind first-place Philadelphia in the National League East.
Lackey (4-1) won his third straight start as he walked just one and struck out seven over 7 2/3 innings of work. Torii Hunter went 2-for-3 with two runs batted in and one scored for the Angels, who have won two of their last three.
Johan Santana (7-5) got the loss for giving up five runs -- four earned -- on eight hits in six innings of work for the Mets, who had won three of four coming into the game.
The Mets took the early lead in the game. Jose Reyes led off with a single to center, but he injured himself on the play and was replaced by Damion Easley. Luis Castillo followed with a single to put runners on the corners and Wright then grounded into a double play that allowed Easley to score.
However, the Angels answered with three runs in the bottom of the first. With one out, Maicer Izturis singled to left, but was forced out at second when Garret Anderson hit into a fielder's choice. Vladimir Guerrero then doubled and Hunter chased home both runners with a double to the gap in left-center. Carlos Delgado then misplayed a Casey Kotchman grounder, allowing Hunter to score for a 3-1 lead.
Kotchman's single to center in the third scored Guerrero for a 4-1 advantage.
Jeff Mathis hit a one-out, solo home run in the sixth to give the Angels a 5-1 advantage.
New York threatened in the eighth as the team put men on first and second to chase Lackey from the game. Scot Shields, though, then took the mound and got Castillo to ground out and end the inning.
LA added another run in the eighth. With runners on first and second, Gary Matthews hit a pitch to third. Fernando Tatis attempted to get the force out at second, but Castillo was unable to handle the throw and Kotchman crossed the plate for a 6-1 lead.
Shields then worked around a one-out walk in the ninth to complete the victory and pick up his second save of the season.
Notes: In addition to firing Randolph, the Mets also canned pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto and added Ken Oberkfell, Dan Warthen and Luis Aguayo to the coaching staff..It was later stated that Reyes was suffering from stiffness in his left hamstring and he was taken out for precautionary measures. He was visibly upset at being taken out of the game..Santana has dropped his last two decisions..Guerrero finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored and has a nine-game hitting streak..The Angels have won 11 of their last 16 overall..The three-game series wraps up on Wednesday with Oliver Perez (5-4) taking the mound for the Mets and Jon Garland (6-4) toeing the rubber for the Angels.