Piazza Provides the Power in Mets’ 7-5 Win

Mike Piazza is quickly making up for lost time.

Piazza, on the disabled list earlier this season, tied a team record by homering in his fourth consecutive game Friday night as the New York Mets defeated the Philadelphia Phillies, 7-5, at New York.

Piazza became the first Met player to homer in four games in a row since Bobby Bonilla in 1992. Four other Mets have accomplished the feat.

“I’m getting some momentum and I’m going to try to ride it as long as I can,” Piazza said.

John Olerud, who had three hits and drove in three runs, and Piazza hit consecutive home runs in the third inning.

Benny Agbayani singled in his first three at-bats, giving him nine consecutive hits for the Mets. His streak ended when he grounded out in the eighth.

“I’m going out and proving that I can play,” said Agbayani, who’s 18 for 34 since being called up May 12 from triple-A. “Other than that, I take it a day at a time.”

Orel Hershiser (3-4) earned his 193rd career victory, giving up two runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings. He also singled and scored a run as the Mets won their third in a row.

John Franco got his 13th save.

Chicago 8, Atlanta 4--Gary Gaetti hit a grand slam in the first inning and Henry Rodriguez and Jeff Blauser hit two-run homers in the ninth at Atlanta to give the Cubs their fifth victory in a row.

It was also the Cubs’ fourth consecutive victory in their last at-bat.

All five wins have come on the road, the Cubs’ longest winning streak away from Wrigley Field since Aug. 20-24, 1992.

Rodriguez broke a 4-4 tie after Tyler Houston drew a walk to open the ninth against Kevin McGlinchy (2-2). It was the seventh home run for Rodriguez.

Colorado 8, Arizona 7--Larry Walker homered in the 11th inning off John Frascatore, giving the Rockies the victory at Denver.

Pedro Astacio pitched seven strong innings in his bid for a fifth consecutive victory as Colorado took a 7-4 lead into the ninth. But the Diamondbacks tied it against closer Dave Veres when Andy Fox doubled, Luis Gonzalez hit a run-scoring single and Matt Williams added a two-run homer, his 14th.

With one out in the 11th, Walker homered to right-center against Frascatore (1-3).

Walker, who extended his hitting streak to a career-high 21 games, had three hits to raise his average to .435, highest in the majors.

Milwaukee 5, Montreal 3--Ron Belliard hit a double that scored two runs in the 11th inning for the Brewers at Montreal.

Dave Nilsson hit a leadoff double against Bobby Ayala (0-4) and pinch-hitter Rich Becker walked. After Geoff Jenkins sacrificed, Belliard doubled to left-center field.

Hideo Nomo held Montreal to three hits--all for extra bases--through eight innings before giving up Ryan McGuire’s first homer on his first pitch of the ninth.

Nomo’s earned-run average is 2.21 after giving up two runs in eight-plus innings. He struck out six and walked two in his third start for the Brewers since being released by the New York Mets and the Chicago Cubs.

Florida 8, Pittsburgh 1--Livan Hernandez pitched a four-hitter for the Marlins at Miami.

Alex Gonzalez and Preston Wilson homered as Florida posted its first two-game winning streak.

The Marlins won two in a row for the first time since last Sept. 26-27. The Pirates lost their eighth consecutive road game, and fifth in a row overall.

Florida made three errors in the first two innings.

San Francisco 4, Houston 3--Pitcher Mark Gardner hit the first homer of his 10-year career, and Armando Rios had a tiebreaking run-scoring double in the seventh for the Giants at San Francisco.

Houston third baseman Ken Caminiti left the game in the third inning after straining his right calf while stealing second base. He grabbed his leg as he neared the base and slid around shortstop Rich Aurilia’s tag to complete the steal, but limped off the field. The Astros listed him as day to day.

Gardner hit his first homer in 411 career at-bats in the second inning but did not get a decision and still is looking for his first victory.