Back on the mound for the first time in almost a year, the right-hander got his 3,000th career strikeout today and led the resurgent New York Mets to a 10-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

Martinez (1-0), who had major shoulder surgery last Oct. 5, returned after just four rehabilitation appearances in the minors, leaving some questions about his readiness. He was limited to 75 pitches, and threw 76 pitches in five innings.

The NL East leaders increased their lead to five games over the Phillies. The Mets saw their lead shrink to only two games over Philadelphia last week, and the allure of a pitcher with playoff experience was too much to resist.

Martinez allowed three runs — one of them the result of center fielder Carlos Beltran's error — and five hits, striking out four. When Adam Dunn grounded out to end a two-on threat in the fifth, Martinez pumped his fist.

He was done, and his team was ahead.

The three-time Cy Young winner fanned Aaron Harang in the second inning to become the 15th pitcher with 3,000 career strikeouts. Boston's Curt Schilling was the most recent to join the group, getting his 3,000th in August last year.

Moises Alou had three hits, including a solo homer, and scored three times. David Wright also had three hits, including a two-run homer that put the Mets in position for their fourth straight victory, matching their season high. Carlos Delgado hit a solo home run in the ninth, his 22nd.

Harang (14-4) had been 4-0 in his last five starts, but matched his season high by giving up 10 hits and six runs in 5 2-3 innings.

Eleven months after surgery on his rotator cuff, Martinez made his return at a ballpark that is one of baseball's most unforgiving. Any mistake at Great American Ball Park can wind up in the seats.

No problem.

Martinez smiled broadly when he walked into the clubhouse exactly two hours before the scheduled first pitch. He joked with teammates, then headed for his locker to trade his magenta shirt, white slacks and white loafers for a black-and-gray Mets uniform.

"Mornin' guys," he said, walking past a throng of reporters. "Good morning!"

A baseball sat on the ledge of his locker, propped next to his glove. It's a baseball tradition that the next day's starter gets a ball in his locker.

He had a ball — and a blast.

Until the game started, that is.

Hundreds of Mets fans cheered when Martinez walked onto the field to pitch the bottom of the first, making his usual hop over the foul line for good luck. One fan in a white Mets jersey held up a sign saying: "He's back."

His fastball wasn't. His best pitch still has some catching up to do.

The first three pitches registered only 82, 82 and 83 mph. He gave up a pair of runs, then seemed to get over his cautiousness. He threw back-to-back fastballs to Javier Valentin that registered 88 mph, then another that hit 89.

It wasn't the old Martinez, but it was close enough.

The Mets decided to get him back on the field even though he's not all the way back in form.

Given Martinez's playoff history — he pitched in four of Boston's playoff appearances and helped the Red Sox win the World Series in 2004 — they figured he was worth the risk.

"There's nothing to expect other than he'll be his old self," manager Willie Randolph said before the game. "I'm like you guys: It's anyone's guess what he'll do."