Martinez leaves early in Mets' victory

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Pedro Martinez combined with four relievers to guide the New York Mets to their eighth successive victory, a one-hit, 3-0 shutout over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday.

Martinez, making just his ninth start of the season, left after four innings because of tightness in his right shoulder.

The right-hander missed two months earlier this season due to a hamstring injury and Mets manager Jerry Manuel decided to be cautious with the 36-year-old.

"My shoulder is perfectly fine," Martinez told reporters. "I guess Jerry wanted to be cautious. Jerry's a tough man; he's from the Felipe (Alou) school."

Billy Wagner completed a perfect ninth for his 22nd save.

The Mets (50-44), who have recorded three shutouts in the past five games, are now within half a game of the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East.

"You've got to play the whole season," Wagner said, of the team's run. "We could have been out of it by now, but look where we are. That's why you play 162 (games)."

Fernando Tatis gave the Mets a 1-0 lead with a RBI single to centre field in the fourth before shortstop Jose Reyes homered to right centre in the fifth, his 10th home run of the year.

Brian Schneider drove in Carlos Delgado for the third run with a RBI double in the sixth off Colorado starter Ubaldo Jimenez, who was replaced after the inning.

The Rockies (39-56) have lost three straight.

(Reporting by Jahmal Corner; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)