ESPN MLB

NEW YORK -- Ike Davis was just trying to get into scoring position.

A few sweet seconds later, it was over.

Davis homered in the 11th inning, Mike Pelfrey turned in another terrific outing and the New York Mets beat the San Diego Padres 2-1 on Tuesday night for their ninth straight home win.

Davis started the 11th with a long drive into the second deck in right field off Edward Mujica (2-1). The rookie first baseman was mobbed by his teammates at home plate after New York's latest dramatic win at Citi Field.

"I was trying to hit a ball in the gaps somewhere and get to second base, then maybe have someone bunt me over," Davis said. "But he hung the splitter. I saw it pretty early and put a good swing on it."

San Diego threatened in the top half of the inning but Elmer Dessens (1-1) fanned Scott Hairston with a runner on second for the final out, helping New York pick up its major league-best 23rd home win.

"We've played extremely well here," manager Jerry Manuel said. "We're confident here."

Pelfrey allowed one run and five hits while becoming the first Mets pitcher to last nine innings this season. The 6-foot-7 right-hander, who struck out six and walked none, is 4-0 with a 1.19 ERA in his last five starts.

Jose Reyes homered and David Wright had two hits for New York, which has won four straight overall. It was the first win for Dessens since Aug. 26, 2007, for Colorado against Washington.

Chase Headley had two hits for San Diego, which won two of three against New York last week at Petco Park. Headley is batting .381 (16 for 42) in his last 10 games.

"We really don't know how to react. We're so confident and used to getting ahead in these types of situations," said Clayton Richard, who threw seven solid innings for the Padres. "It just didn't happen for us tonight."

Davis' seventh homer was the decisive blow in a tight game that featured impressive pitching performances by Pelfrey and Richard.

Richard was in line for the win before Reyes hit a two-out drive to left in the seventh that bounced above the orange line that runs along the top of the wall. Reyes' shot was originally ruled in play by third base umpire Mike DiMuro but was changed to a home run after a video review.

"It was good to tie the game for Pelfrey," Reyes said. "He pitched unbelievable."

That was the only mistake by Richard, who allowed seven hits, struck out six and walked one. The 26-year-old left-hander is 3-1 with a 2.20 ERA in his last six starts.

"Clayton pitched well," manager Bud Black said, "made some critical pitches at key times to get through the middle of their order a number of times, which was great to see. But it doesn't surprise me. He's been doing it."

The Padres put a runner on second with one out in the eighth and ninth and failed to score each time. David Eckstein struck out and Headley flied out to end the eighth. Nick Hundley struck out and Will Venable grounded out to end the threat in the ninth.

"I looked at it that we've got a guy at second base, so what?" Pelfrey said. "I'm not going to let him score."

Both teams had a chance to get to the emerging young starters in the first, but only San Diego was able to cash in on the opportunity.

Headley, batting second for the first time this season, singled with one out and Adrian Gonzalez followed with a drive off the wall in left. Hairston then struck out and Hundley hit a bouncer to third to leave Gonzalez stranded at second.

Pagan reached on Richard's two-base throwing error with one out in the bottom half and stole third, but Jason Bay took a called third strike and Davis struck out swinging to end the threat.

New York put two runners on in the second and fifth and came away with nothing each time. Pelfrey hit a comebacker to Richard after Jeff Francoeur and Ruben Tejada singled with two out in the second, and Bay struck out with runners on the corners to end the fifth.

Game notes

Mets RHP John Maine (shoulder weakness) threw a bullpen session and about 30 pitches during a simulated game. "I've been feeling good for a while," he said. "It's just a necessary step to get back to pitching." Maine could throw again Wednesday or Thursday, before possibly going out for a minor league rehab assignment this weekend. ... Black said INF Everth Cabrera (strained right hamstring) is making strides and getting close to a rehab assignment. ... New York LHP Jonathon Niese and RHP R.A. Dickey switched spots in the rotation, with Niese moving up to Thursday against the Padres and Dickey back to Friday at Baltimore. Niese will go on regular rest and Dickey will get two extra days.