MET NOTES
ATLANTA – The swelling in Derek Bell’s left knee had gone down enough yesterday for the Mets’ right fielder to return to his spot after missing two games.
Bell, though, knew he had to slide differently to prevent re-injuring the knee.
“I’m so used to Pete Rose-ing,” Bell said, referring to how he likes to go head first.
Bell wore two thin kneepads last night to cushion any possible blows.
He first injured the knee at the end of August at Shea and then re-injured it during the last series in Montreal when he slid awkwardly trying to score Friday.
Bell, who entered just 11-for-59 (.186) against Greg Maddux, didn’t plan on playing any differently last night.
“I can never go out there and not give it my all,” Bell said. “If I hurt it again I’ll just have to take some extra pain medicine. I’m going to slide. I’m going to dive, the whole nine yards.”
If Bell hadn’t been able to start, then Darryl Hamilton would’ve started the game in right. Hamilton, who is back in the Mets’ plans despite his bad big left toe, would’ve made his fourth straight start.
“He feels as good today as he did yesterday,” Valentine said of Hamilton. “He is swinging really well.”
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If the Mets want, they can pitch Mike Hampton – last night’s starter – in the Braves series at Shea that starts a week from today.
Hampton is next scheduled to pitch on Saturday at Philadelphia. With the Mets’ off-day Monday, they could skip righty Bobby Jones’ turn and go with Hampton in the last game of the series on Sept. 28. Hampton would have his normal four days between starts. … Tomorrow’s game is at 7:10 p.m., not 7:40.
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There is an interesting sidelight matchup in this series – Jay Payton vs. Rafael Furcal for the NL Rookie of the Year.
The 27-year-old Payton entered last night leading NL rookies in hits with 130. He was second in homers with 15 and third in batting average at .290.
Furcal, the slick-fielding shortstop/second baseman, entered last night with an 11-game hitting streak. Furcal, who is listed at 20 in the Braves media guide, was batting .296.
The Cardinals’ Rick Ainkel and the Phillies Pat Burrell also are candidates. The Astros’ Lance Berkman doesn’t qualify as a rookie.
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After this series concludes tomorrow with the Mets’ Al Leiter (15-7, 3.21 ERA) facing Tom Glavine (19-7, 3.58), the Mets go to Philadelphia for four.
The matchups at the Vet: Thursday, Rick Reed (10-5, 4.16 ERA) vs. Omar Daal (3-19, 6.52).
Friday, Bobby Jones (9-6, 5.35) vs. Randy Wolf (11-7, 4.31).
Saturday, Mike Hampton vs. Kent Bottenfield (both pitched last night).
Sunday, Glendon Rusch vs. Bruce Chen (both pitch tonight).
