Dodgers unable to sneak past Mets

NEW YORK — The New York Mets looked like October regulars during their first postseason game since 2000.

The Mets capitalized on a wild baserunning blunder by Los Angeles and got strong pitching from John Maine in a 6-5 victory Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Billy Wagner closed Game 1 of this NL series for his first postseason save, fanning Nomar Garciaparra with a runner on second for the final out.

“A lot of guys have been waiting for this time in their life, and I think everybody stepped up today,” said catcher Paul Lo Duca, another newcomer to the playoffs.

Playing in the first postseason game of his 14-year career, Carlos Delgado had four hits, including a mammoth home run and the go-ahead RBI in the seventh inning.

David Wright drove in three runs, helping the Mets jump ahead in the best-of-five series.

Game 2 is tonight, with rookie left-hander Hong-Chih Kuo on the mound for the Dodgers against 290-game winner Tom Glavine. Kuo pitched six shutout innings at Shea Stadium on Sept. 8 for his only major league win.

The Mets got a break on a bizarre play when the Dodgers had two runners cut down at home plate in the second inning.

With two on and none out, rookie Russell Martin hit an opposite-field drive off the base of the right-field wall. But Jeff Kent hesitated at second base, apparently thinking the ball might be caught, and got an extremely late jump.

That left J.D. Drew, who was on first, practically running up Kent’s back as coach Rich Donnelly waved one, or both, around third. A quick, accurate relay from right fielder Shawn Green to second baseman Jose Valentin to Lo Duca nailed Kent, who attempted a headfirst dive into the plate.

“If I hold him, we’ve got two guys at third base,” Donnelly said. “I was hoping they’d throw the ball away. I didn’t really want to send Jeff. J.D. was right behind him, and I thought, one’s going to be out and one’s going to be safe.”

Drew was left in no-man’s land, trapped about halfway between third and home. Yet Lo Duca, who got spun around on the play at the plate, didn’t realize that at first as he struggled to his feet.

With Lo Duca unaware for a moment, Drew tried to sneak his way in. But the catcher turned his head, suddenly noticed Drew bearing down on him and applied a second tag as Drew also tried a headfirst dive.

“We’ve been in L.A. all season long. We know about traffic jams. We certainly had one again right there,” Los Angeles manager Grady Little said. “That’s a trick play we work on in spring training.”

Athletics 5, Twins 2

MINNEAPOLIS — Playing it safe? Not Torii Hunter’s style. That’s why he has five Gold Gloves.

Trying to make a tough catch right after his Minnesota teammates tied the game with back-to-back home runs, Hunter missed, and Oakland took advantage.

Mark Kotsay circled the bases for a two-run, inside-the-park home run after Hunter’s ill-advised dive for a sinking line drive, lifting the Athletics to a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.

“It was the worst feeling in the world. You can’t do anything about it,” said Hunter, who blamed himself for the defeat.

The series shifts west Friday, with Twins right-hander Brad Radke taking his broken shoulder socket to the mound for possibly the final appearance of his 12-year career.

Dan Haren, in his first postseason start, will pitch for Oakland.

Tigers at Yankees

NEW YORK — The second game of the AL playoff series between Detroit and the New York Yankees was postponed because of rain Wednesday night. Game 2 will be played today, with Justin Verlander starting for the Tigers against Mike Mussina. The travel day will be eliminated, and Game 3 will be Friday night in Detroit.

The Yankees lead the series 1-0.