SAN FRANCISCO -- David Wright felt the circumstances were perfect for adding some finesse to New York's power game.
Wright recorded four of the Mets' franchise-record seven stolen bases and hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the ninth inning in a 7-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Thursday night.
"We have to pick up the slack with the guys that are in the lineup when the everyday guys are out," Wright said. "If it means you have to steal a few extra bases, play solid defense, or bearing down and being a situational style of hitter, so be it."
Wright had three hits and drove in two runs.
"Jerry (Manuel) has preached aggressiveness on the basepaths all year," Wright said of his manager. "I got a few opportunities early. I like putting pressure on the defense, and I like to keep the pitcher on his toes to make him focus on the baserunners."
Gary Sheffield and Carlos Beltran each had two hits and Ramon Castro had two RBIs for New York, which has won nine of 11.
Sheffield, Beltran and Alex Cora also stole a base for the Mets, who ran wild without speedy shortstop Jose Reyes, who sat out with a stiff right calf.
"Sometimes you're going to have to steal bases to win games," Beltran said. "I'm trying to pick up the spot and David got the big hit."
Wright tied a club mark for steals in a game set twice by Vince Coleman and equaled by Roger Cedeno in 1999. The team had previously swiped six bags in four games, the last time on Sept. 15, 2007, against Philadelphia.
"I think we've been aggressive in late inning situations," Mets manager Jerry Manuel said.
New York also was without reliever J.J. Putz and first baseman Carlos Delgado. Putz had a cortisone shot to alleviate inflammation in his right elbow, and Delgado's ailing hip again kept him out of the lineup.
Bobby Parnell (2-0), subbing for Putz in the eighth inning, gave up run-scoring hits to Jose Uribe and Edgar Renteria, leaving the game tied at 4.
The Mets responded with three runs in the ninth. Beltran hit a one-out double off Brian Wilson (2-1) and stole third. After Sheffield walked, Wright lined his RBI single into right field.
"That was a close call at third and it went their way," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "Still, we have to do a better job."
Dodgers 5, Phillies 3, 10 innings
At Philadelphia, Russell Martin hit a tiebreaking double in the 10th inning and Matt Kemp tacked on an RBI double to lead Los Angeles.
The Dodgers, minus the suspended Manny Ramirez, won two of three in a rematch of last season's NLCS.
Jonathan Broxton (4-0) earned the win despite blowing a two-run lead with two outs in the ninth. Ramon Troncoso pitched a scoreless 10th to earn his second save.
Cubs 11, Padres 3
At Chicago, Bobby Scales hit a pair of two-run doubles and the Cubs took advantage of 10 walks.
Adrian Gonzalez homered for the fourth consecutive game but couldn't prevent San Diego from losing its 11th straight on the road, its longest skid in 38 years.
Ryan Dempster (3-2) allowed two runs and three hits over seven innings. He also drove in two runs with a double and a single as the Cubs completed their first three-game sweep of the Padres at home since 1999.
San Diego was outscored 42-18 during an 0-6 road trip.
Chad Gaudin (0-3) issued seven walks in 4 1-3 innings for the Padres.
Brewers 5, Marlins 3
At Milwaukee, Prince Fielder hit a go-ahead homer and Dave Bush turned in another strong start to help the Brewers complete a three-game sweep.
Trevor Hoffman earned his eighth save and has yet to give up a run in nine innings this season for Milwaukee, which has won nine of 11.
It was the fourth straight loss for the Marlins and a short afternoon for Josh Johnson, who walked five in only four innings.
Fielder connected in the fifth off Burke Badenhop (2-2). J.J. Hardy added an RBI single in the sixth for a 5-3 lead.
Bush (2-0) struck out seven and gave up two earned runs in seven innings.
Astros 5, Rockies 3
At Denver, Wandy Rodriguez struck out a career-high 11 and Michael Bourn stole home on the back end of a double steal to lead Houston.
Bourn tied a career high with four hits and finished with two stolen bases. Carlos Lee homered for the Astros.
Rodriguez (4-2) allowed two earned runs in seven innings, raising his ERA to 1.90 -- still among the lowest in the majors. Chris Sampson worked a perfect eighth and LaTroy Hawkins got his fifth save.
The Rockies committed three errors behind starter Jason Hammel (0-2), who gave up four runs -- one earned -- in 5 1-3 innings.
Cardinals 5, Pirates 1
At Pittsburgh, Colby Rasmus hit a two-run homer and the Cardinals avoided a sweep against the last-place Pirates.
The Cardinals had lost five consecutive games in Pittsburgh and were in jeopardy of being swept in a three-game series for the first time since Sept. 12-14, also at PNC Park. Depleted by injuries, St. Louis had lost four of five and seven of 10.
Trever Miller (1-0) escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fifth to earn the win.
Albert Pujols had a two-run single for St. Louis.
Pittsburgh's Jeff Karstens (1-2) gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings.