Giants 3 – Mets 1
SAN FRANCISCO – When Jeromy Burnitz touched home in the second inning yesterday, it was cause for celebration. It was the first time since last Friday the Mets owned a lead.
But like that Friday night, they were unable to convert it into a victory. Their scant 1-0 advantage turned into a 3-1 loss to the Giants, and their losing streak extended to 11 games.
All the action happened off the field. It was a day that Bobby Valentine gave more fodder to his critics, Steve Phillips bristled when asked to evaluate Valentine, and owner Fred Wilpon admitted his club was an underachieving disappointment. That was before the sub-Amazin’s lost again to fall 10 games below .500 (58-68).
Phillips also said it looked like his last-place team has a defeatist attitude on the field, which the players to a man denied.
“No one’s quit. No one’s given up,” Mo Vaughn said. “I don’t think that.
“That’s not to go against Steve at all. Maybe that’s what he sees.”
Edgardo Alfonzo disagreed with Valentine’s pregame contention the third baseman was “distracted” by pending free agency and that overall there weren’t enough Valentine “disciples” in the clubhouse.
“I don’t think a leader has to do with what’s happening right now,” Alfonzo said. “We don’t hit, we don’t play good, we’re not gonna win.”
Rookie lefty Michael Bacsik put forth a decent performance, allowing three earned runs over 5 1/3 innings. But Bacsik (2-1) was touched up for runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth. The Met offense never answered the challenge.
“It was a great outing,” catcher Vance Wilson said. “He held them to three runs and that’s a high-octane offense. He was outstanding.”
Righty Ryan Jensen (11-8) and three relievers shut down the Mets, who have scored three runs or fewer in more than half their games.
Burnitz doubled leading off the second and tagged up on a flyout to right by Wilson. Rey Ordonez singled to left to plate Burnitz and put the Mets ahead for the first time in five games. It didn’t last.
“How many more times can you say it [stinks]?” Piazza said.
*
Alfonzo “is going to take a real strong batting practice” in Denver today. Valentine said it’s possible Alfonzo (strained left oblique) could be activated today if he gets through the test OK, but Alfonzo said he didn’t think so . . . John Valentin is expected to rejoin the team. He flew to New Jersey to be with his father, who suffered a stroke.
——–
LONGEST MET LOSING STREAKS
GAMES – YEAR
17 – May/June 1962
15 – June/July 1963
Aug. 1982
13 – Aug. 1962
Aug. 1980
11 – July 1962
July 1963
Aug. 1965
Aug. 1991
Aug. 2002
