Cubs 3

Mets 0

CHICAGO – After perpetually scoring one run a game every day this week, Mike Cameron noted on Friday that such a streak couldn’t possibly continue.

Then the new center fielder added helpfully, “At least we won’t get shut out.”

Cameron can be excused for his optimism. He had never before faced Kerry Wood.

For the second time this year, the Mets were shut out yesterday, this time 3-0 by Wood and the Cubs. The offensive funk continues – the Mets managed just four hits, all singles, and were an abysmal 1-for-10 with runners on base.

The Mets weren’t hitting against the Pirates and Expos, but against the Cubs – who have perhaps the top pitching staff in baseball – things have been even worse. In two games, the Mets have more losses (two) than runs (one). They also have just four walks against 23 strikeouts and are a combined 2-for-24 with runners on base.

More? After the third inning yesterday, the Mets had just one hit, a Kaz Matsui infield single. Even more incredibly, after the third inning, they managed to get just one ball out of the infield, a Mike Piazza fly-out.

In the last 50 innings, the Mets have scored more than one run in an inning just once. And in six of their last eight games, they have scored one run or fewer.

Meanwhile, the losses are starting to add up. The Mets have dropped seven of nine, falling to 7-11 on the year.

Art Howe mixed up his lineup for the fifth straight day to try to spark his slumping club. Before the game, Howe even noted that he liked this particular fit.

The manager put Piazza in the three-hole, followed by a scorching-hot Shane Spencer, reasoning that perhaps Piazza would see some better pitches. He started Vance Wilson behind the plate, noting that the catcher was 2-for-3 lifetime off Wood. He started utility player Joe McEwing, who came in 5-for-10 against Wood, at second base.

None of it mattered against Wood, who out-dueled another young power arm, Tyler Yates, and continued to prove why he might be the best pitcher in the National League. The fireballing right-hander hurled seven shutout frames for the Cubs, allowing four hits, walking two and striking out nine.

More impressive than Wood’s line, though, was his dominance. Mixing in 76-mph curves that swept over the plate with pure 98-mph gas, Wood was barely touched all game. The Mets put a runner on third just once and seldom hit balls hard. As for Wilson and McEwing, they combined for four strikeouts in six at-bats.

Told on Friday that Thursday’s Cubs rainout meant Wood was now going to be his mound opponent, Yates was immediately excited. He reminisced about when he was coming up through the minors and would watch Wood’s performances.

The euphoria lasted for just two batters yesterday. After getting Todd Walker to fly out and striking out Corey Patterson, Yates faced Sammy Sosa for the first time in his life. It didn’t exactly go well. Sosa introduced himself to the rookie by blasting a solo homer to left-center, putting the Mets in an early 1-0 hole.

Yates’ problems weren’t over; he surrendered solo runs in each of the next two innings. With Wood pitching and the Mets not hitting, that was plenty.