Beltran Completes Rally by Mets, 8-7

NEW YORK —  Carlos Beltran swung, and quickly an exciting game for the New York Mets became an exhilarating one.

Beltran hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning Tuesday night, putting a rousing ending to a game of grand-slam derby involving Albert Pujols and Carlos Delgado and rallying the Mets over the St. Louis Cardinals, 8-7.

“This is a potential playoff atmosphere,” Beltran said. “Whoever wins this series is going to make a statement.”

Pujols hit a slam and a three-run homer for St. Louis, setting a career high with seven runs batted in. Delgado almost matched that for the Mets, crunching a solo shot and a slam to reach 400 homers.

“It doesn’t matter. It’s not about me,” Pujols said.

Said Delgado: “This isn’t a man-to-man matchup.”

Beltran’s one-out drive to right field off Jason Isringhausen (4-7) capped the Mets’ comeback from a 7-1 deficit. It also decided the game involving National League division leaders and gave the Mets a five-game winning streak.

Beltran connected for his 36th homer after Paul Lo Duca singled. Booed at home for most of last year, Beltran took a joyride around the bases, tossing his helmet and jumping on the plate.

“Walkoff is a great feeling,” he said.