MET NOTES

MONTREAL – There has been a rumor throughout the year that Mike Hampton, tonight’s starter, is going to call Turner Field home next year. Is it true?

“I know it’s not coming from me,” said Hampton, who will be opposed by Greg Maddux there tonight, making for a tremendous series-opening matchup.

Many have speculated that because of Hampton’s Florida roots, his bent toward a southern lifestyle and the Braves, known for being a pitcher’s haven, will sign the 27-year-old this offseason.

“People believe everything that is in the paper and ‘rumor has it’ is just that a rumor, it’s not a fact,” Hampton said. “But yet a lot of people read into it a little too far, but that’s fine, let them say what they want to say, I don’t care.

“Until I sign my name on the dotted line somewhere, it doesn’t matter. Every day I’m going to put on this Mets uniform and hopefully we’ll win the World Series.”

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Derek Bell, who sat out his second consecutive game with a sore left knee, said, “I’ll be in [tonight.]” Bell’s absence allowed the emerging Darryl Hamilton to start his third consecutive game on Astroturf. Hamilton batted third and went 1-for-4, striking out three times. Hamilton, who was out of Bobby Valentine’s plans because of his bad big left toe, said he felt fine afterward … Edgardo Alfonzo had yesterday off because of the artificial turf. Kurt Abbott started at second and went 1-for-3. Abbott, with two men on, came close to making yesterday a ballgame in the seventh when he hit one to the warning track. Alfonzo is expected back in the lineup tonight.

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Leading off the eighth, pinch-hitter Lenny Harris singled to right. Vladimir Guerrero came up sort of nonchalantly and then unleashed one of his patented lasers. Harris scooted back to first. Harris, known for his exuberant personality, looked at Guerrero and put his arms like as to say, “Gimme a break.”