Collision Mars Met-Padre Game

Mike Cameron and Carlos Beltran sprinted toward the sinking liner, both outfielders watching the ball and diving toward the same spot.

They didn’t see each other and smashed face-to-face in what many of their New York teammates said was one of the scariest collisions they’ve ever seen. The Mets who ran to the fallen pair during the seventh inning of the 2-1 loss to the Padres on Thursday at San Diego said Cameron was dazed and bleeding from the mouth.

Cameron was taken off the field on a stretcher, his body immobilized and his neck in a brace. He was taken to Mercy Hospital, where he underwent two CT scans. Cameron broke his nose, had multiple fractures of both cheekbones and a slight concussion, and was to be hospitalized overnight, Met spokesman Jay Horwitz said. Cameron was put on the disabled list.

Beltran had a sore left shoulder and a cut near his left temple. He was taken to Scripps Clinic where he was to remain overnight, Horwitz said late Thursday. The Mets open a series against the Dodgers tonight.

“I don’t remember anything of what happened,” Beltran said. “I don’t remember how it happened, I know we got hit. I feel like I got hit by a train.”

The game was delayed for about 13 minutes as the players were tended to by trainers and paramedics. Neither Cameron nor Beltran caught the ball, which went for a triple for David Ross.

*

Chicago 11, St. Louis 4 -- Greg Maddux pitched his first complete game in more than a year, Derrek Lee hit two homers at Chicago and the Cubs ended their eight-game losing streak. Maddux (9-9) won his 314th game, tying Gaylord Perry for 16th place on the all-time list.

*

Houston 6, Washington 3 -- Andy Pettitte won for the sixth time in eight starts and Brad Ausmus had a three-run double at Houston.

Ryan Drese (3-6) lost his fifth consecutive start for the Nationals, who have dropped five of six.

San Francisco 5, Atlanta 3 -- Randy Winn hit a two-out, two-run homer in the seventh inning as the Giants avoided a sweep at Atlanta.

Arizona 3, Florida 1 -- Troy Glaus and Chad Tracy homered in the eighth inning to support a strong outing by Brandon Webb at Miami.

Pittsburgh 11, Colorado 3 -- Jose Castillo had a two-run triple and Jason Bay had three hits and scored three times at Denver.