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GAME LOG
MIAMI (AP) -- Mike Hampton had three hits and allowed just four.
While Hampton shut down Florida for six innings and drove in a
run, Derek Bell hit a three-run homer for the second straight game
and went 3-for-6 with three runs scored as the New York Mets beat
the Marlins 11-2 Wednesday.
"My job is to pitch, hitting is icing on the cake," Hampton
said.
He won for the sixth time in seven decisions following a 2-4
start, allowing two runs -- one earned, including Preston Wilson's
sixth-inning homer. He struck out five and walked two, stopping the
Marlins' season-high, five-game winning streak.
Hampton (8-5) also singled in the second, sixth and seventh
innings, driving in Todd Zeile with his last one. By going 3-for-4
with the second three-hit game of his career, he raised his average
to .318 (14-for-44).
"It's not pretty, but I just battle out there and put the ball
in play and give myself a chance to get a hit and help the team,"
Hampton said.
Mets manager Bobby Valentine gave a blunter assessment of his
pitcher's offensive prowess.
"Some are pretty swings, some are athletic events. Mike's is an
athletic event," Valentine said. "He sees the ball, puts the head
of the bat on the ball and runs like hell."
Chuck Smith (0-2), a 30-year-old rookie, allowed five runs -- two
earned -- and eight hits in five innings. He has not given up more
than three earned runs in any of his five starts.
Florida manager John Boles quickly shook off the loss.
"We're very happy with the streak: four one-run games and one
by two runs," he said. "I've already forgotten this one."
Mike Piazza, whose 21-game hitting streak was stopped Tuesday,
was 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Piazza's RBI single and Robin Ventura's run-scoring grounder put
New York ahead in the first, but Florida got a run in the bottom
half when Mark Kotsay reached on an error by shortstop Melvin Mora
and scored on Cliff Floyd's double.
New York made it 5-1 in the third when Smith fumbled Jay
Payton's bases-loaded roller for an error and Benny Agbayani
followed with a two-run single.
Hampton singled off Joe Strong leading off the sixth, Mora
walked and Bell hit his 12th homer, matching his entire total last
season.
"I'm not a streaky hitter, but slumps and streaks, I try to
stay away from any of those words." he said.
New York scored twice in the seventh on Hampton's single, which
gave him five RBI this season, and Mora's sacrifice fly.
Agbayani, who was 3-for-5, tripled and scored when reliever Eric
Cammack tripled in his first major-league at-bat.
Game notes
Hampton also had three hits against Colorado for Houston
last July 28. ... Mora's left big toe was stepped on and he was
pulled in the ninth. Blood formed under the nail, but he's expected
to be fine for the weekend series against the Yankees. ...
Valentine pulled Hampton after 79 pitches (55 for strikes) because
he may start him Sunday against the Yankees on three days' rest.
"Jones (Bobby M.) is my first choice but I might use Mike as my
trump card and get him right in there if he feels good on Friday,"
Valentine said. Hampton has been experiencing slight lower-back
stiffness. ... Mike Redmond committed two passed balls, his first
of the season. He's the only catcher in the NL without an error
(284 chances). ... Preston Wilson has four homers in 12 games
against the Mets. He also has six doubles. ... Marlins RHP A.J.
Burnett, on the mend from a damaged thumb, pitched 2 2-3 innings
for the Class A Brevard County Manatees against the Fort Myers
Miracle. He didn't give up a hit and had four strikeouts and three
walks. He's expected to join the Marlins after the All-Star break.
... Florida 2B Luis Castillo sat out with a stomach virus.
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