SAN DIEGO — Zack Wheeler's biggest "flaw" last night might have been trying to strike out too many batters, reducing the probability he would be around long enough for the win.
The Mets right-hander could have used one more inning. But who's to quibble with a one-run performance over six innings that included a career-high 12 strikeouts?
The combo of Wheeler's dominance and Marlon Byrd stroking a two-run, go-ahead double in the eighth helped the Mets snap their three-game skid with a 4-1 victory over the Padres at Petco Park.
"Early, I was keeping my pitch count pretty low, but after the second or third inning I got a little carried away and I was trying to strike some people out and lost a little command of my fastball," said Wheeler, who threw 115 pitches. "It didn't help. My pitch count went up and I had to work a lot more."
Getty Images; AP (inset)
WHIFF FEST: Zach Wheeler struck out a career-high 12 batters and allowed just one run in six innings, but got a no-decision in the Mets' 4-1 victory over the Padres last night in San Diego. Wheeler was helped out by a home-run saving play by Eric Young Jr. in the third inning.
A night after LaTroy Hawkins blew a two-run lead in the ninth against the Dodgers, setting up a 12-inning loss, the Mets got three shutout innings from the bullpen, with rookie Gonzalez Germen pitching the eighth and ninth scoreless for his first major league save.
Over his last two starts, spanning 12 1/3 innings, Wheeler has struck out 16 batters and walked one. Now Wheeler will have to prove he can do it at home: His next start is expected to come Tuesday against the Braves at Citi Field, where he has pitched to a 6.20 ERA in four starts. On the road, Wheeler has a 2.11 ERA in seven starts.
"For a guy with his stuff, and you don't walk people, you're going to have success, because you're hard to hit," manager Terry Collins said. "I know he threw a lot of pitches tonight, but it was very encouraging that he didn't walk anybody."
The Mets (55-64) took control on Byrd's double in the eighth against Luke Gregerson. On the play, right fielder Chris Denorfia froze, and watched the ball sail over his head. Mike Baxter started the rally with a pinch-hit walk. It was in this same ballpark last August that Baxter set a Mets record with five walks in a nine-inning game.
John Buck padded the lead in the ninth with a solo homer against Tim Stauffer.
The Padres had threatened to take the lead in the sixth after Denorfia's double, but Wheeler retired Jaff Decker and struck out Ronny Cedeno on pitch No. 115.
"I feel like I'm getting better every time out," Wheeler said. "It's a learning experience. I didn't think I had my best stuff today."
Juan Lagares kept the game at 1-1 in the fifth with a peg to the plate that nailed Tyson Ross trying to score the go-ahead run on Yonder Alonso's single. The assist was Lagares' team-leading 10th of the season in just 80 games.
Wheeler allowed a run in the fourth, after Chase Headley opened the inning with a single and Alonso walked. Denorfia singled to load the bases with one out before Decker brought home the run with a sacrifice fly.
The Mets scored a gift run in the fourth, after first-base umpire Brian Knight ruled Josh Satin safe on a slow grounder to shortstop for an RBI single. Though replays showed the first baseman Alonso on the bag with the ball a full step before Satin arrived, the Mets got the call. Murphy, hustling from second, scored easily to give the Mets a 1-0 lead.
Eric Young Jr. probably saved the Mets a run in the third when he reached above the left-field fence and swatted Rene Rivera's drive. The ball landed on top of the fence and bounced into play for a triple. But the run never scored, with Wheeler striking out the next two batters.
mpuma@nypost.com
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