Mets to L.A. up 2-0

NEW YORK – Sure, the New York Mets are missing two experienced starters. They still have Tom Glavine, though, and his stellar pitching performance put them on the brink of a first-round sweep.

Making his 33rd postseason start – but first since joining the Mets in 2003 – Glavine tossed six shutout innings and New York scratched out enough runs to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-1 Thursday night for a 2-0 lead in their N.L. playoff series.

Jose Reyes drove in two runs from the leadoff spot, 48-year-old pinch-hitter Julio Franco hustled to beat out a double-play ball for an RBI, and Billy Wagner earned his second consecutive save.

Two days earlier, the N.L. East champions lost Orlando Hernandez to a calf injury – leaving him on the sidelines with ace Pedro Martinez all postseason.

But now, they’re one win from the N.L. championship series.

The Mets will go for the sweep Saturday in Los Angeles against Greg Maddux, who has 333 career wins. Steve Trachsel or Oliver Perez will pitch for New York.

The Mets were the only team in the first round to win its first two home games. They capitalized on an embarrassing baserunning blunder for a 6-5 victory in Game 1, when the Dodgers had two runners cut down at home plate on one bizarre play.

The Dodgers dropped to 1-11 in the postseason since winning the 1988 World Series.

They also lost Nomar Garciaparra in the sixth inning because of a leg injury.