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WHAT IT MEANS: Jason Bay dropped a two-run single over shortstop and Ronny Cedeño had a two-run double that Melky Cabrera awkwardly played in left field as the Mets rode a four-run first inning to a 9-1 win Thursday afternoon against the Giants at AT&T Park.

The Mets, who won three of four games in San Francisco, had been 0-5-1 in their past six series. Their last series victory came July 5, when they won the rubber game of a three-game set with the Phillies at Citi Field.

Cedeño finished with five RBIs, matching his career high. In two starts this series at second base against southpaws, he drove in a combined seven runs. Cedeño staked the Mets to a 7-1 lead with a fifth-inning RBI single against Shane Loux, who had entered one batter earlier in relief of Barry Zito. Cedeño added a two-run double in the seventh.

Cedeño's other five-RBI game came April 22, 2008, with the Chicago Cubs against the Mets. He delivered a grand slam against Jorge Sosa in that game at Wrigley Field.

The last Met with a five-RBI game against the Giants? That was Mike Piazza in 2003. The only other Mets second baseman to drive in that many run against San Francisco? Ron Hunt in 1966, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Chris Young limited the Giants to one run on four hits while striking out four and matching a season high by working seven innings as the Mets improved to 5-3 on their NL West tour. Only a weekend stop in San Diego remains.

Young rebounded from an outing in Arizona in which he allowed six runs in four innings. He earned his first win since June 28.

WHAT’S NEXT: R.A Dickey (14-2, 2.83 ERA) faces Padres left-hander Clayton Richard (7-11, 4.14) in Friday's 10:05 p.m. ET series opener at Petco Park. Frank Francisco is expected to be activated from the disabled list, pushing Bobby Parnell back to a setup role, and likely forcing Elvin Ramirez -- who pitched a scoreless eighth despite a leadoff walk -- to Triple-A Buffalo.