Maine to Start Game 1 for Mets

O. Hernandez Left Off Division Series Roster

Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez throws during the Mets' workout one day before their National League Division Series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Shea Stadium in New York, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2006. Already missing Pedro Martinez, the New York Mets suddenly might have to replace pitcher Orlando Hernandez in Game 1 of the playoffs because of a calf injury, too. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams) (Henny Ray Abrams - AP)

NEW YORK -- Orlando Hernandez is expected to miss the entire postseason because of a calf injury, and Mets rookie John Maine started Game 1 of the playoffs Wednesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Hernandez has a torn muscle in his right calf and was left off New York's first-round roster, leaving the NL East champions without two of their top starters. That means erratic left-hander Oliver Perez, who went 3-13 with a 6.55 ERA this season, is slated to start Game 4 in Los Angeles, if necessary.

"All year long we've had guys who picked each other up," general manager Omar Minaya said. "I'm confident somebody will pick up El Duque."

Maine did a credible job in Game 1. He gave up one run and six hits in 4 1-3 innings, striking out five. New York held off the Dodgers for a 6-5 victory.

"I feel proud about Maine's work. We were expecting that from him," a visibly upset Hernandez said through a translator.

With the Mets already missing Pedro Martinez, Hernandez had been scheduled to start the postseason opener. But El Duque got hurt Tuesday while jogging in the outfield, leaving the Mets scrambling to rearrange their rotation.

They turned to Maine, who went 6-5 with a 3.60 ERA in 16 games this season, including 15 starts. The right-hander had not been expected to pitch until later in the series at Los Angeles _ if at all.

Had Martinez not been sidelined for the entire postseason by calf and shoulder injuries, Maine might have been left out of the playoff rotation altogether.

Instead, he found himself starting Game 1 at home before a packed house of more than 50,000 fans. And he could wind up pitching twice in the series.

"He's a tough kid mentally. You know, he doesn't get intimidated a whole lot by what's going on," said Mets pitcher Tom Glavine, who will start Game 2. "He's a typical young pitcher that's trying to find his groove in terms of consistency. I mean, he has the stuff to be good and he has the stuff to be successful at this level."

Maine lacks the October experience the Mets were counting on with Hernandez, acquired from Arizona in May. El Duque is 9-3 with a 2.55 ERA in 19 career postseason games, including 14 starts, mostly with the Yankees. He also owns four World Series rings, and his teams are 12-3 in postseason series.

"He was obviously very, very distraught. Very upset," Mets manager Willie Randolph said. "This is his time of year.