METS 3

PADRES 2

As Mike Piazza got into the batter’s box in the sixth inning last night, a fan held up a sign that read, “WISH YOU WERE HERE.” The former Mets superstar – the Mets franchise player for nearly 7 ½ seasons – was back in Flushing for the first time since last season.

In his homecoming, Piazza heard cheers but didn’t get a win or an RBI. He went 1for-4 with a single, a strikeout, a groundout and a pop-out in the Mets’ 3-2 win.

“What can I say?” he said before the game. “I’m really excited to be back here.” Piazza, now the starting catcher for the Padres, received a video tribute before the game began, the Shea scoreboard inscribing the message, “WELCOME BACK 31,” before it began. The Beatles’ song “In My Life” accompanied Piazza highlights, as the fans gave the 37-year-old slugger a standing ovation.

Piazza watched the video from the leftfield foul line. When it was done, he gave a small wave, then tipped his helmet as he walked along the third-base line. He received a standing ovation from the fans, and the catcher waved and blew kisses, and again held up his helmet.

The fans chanted his name and clapped five times in unison. It was a bit surprising and disappointing, though, to not have all the Mets on the top dugout step or on the field applauding their former teammate.

When it was time for Piazza’s first at-bat, there were cheers as he was getting ready to hit, prompting another tip of the cap outside the batter’s box. He received a long standing ovation, and Piazza tipped his helmet again before striking out on five pitches, going down on a Steve Trachsel splitter.

But the cheers could still be heard.

In his second trip to the plate in the third, Piazza batted with runners on second and third. There were cheers again, though this time less pronounced. Piazza bounced out to short.

Three innings later, Piazza came up with Brian Giles on first and one out, but Giles was caught stealing on the first pitch – prompting fans to chant for current Mets catcher Paul Lo Duca. Piazza then lined a single to center off Trachsel, and the fans showered him with a standing ovation.

Piazza represented the potential goahead run when he came up in the eighth, with Mike Cameron on first. Roberto Hernandez took the hill to battle Piazza. After Cameron stole second, Piazza popped to center. He heard a big ovation, however, as he headed to the dugout. He was then replaced by Josh Bard.

Piazza, who went 2-for-10 with a homer in the series against the Mets earlier this season, entered last night hitting .297 with 16 homers for the Padres, said he will play in 2007. He also called the Mets “an amazing team” before the game began.

He admitted the flight to New York on this occasion felt different.

“I’m very nervous, to be totally honest with you,” he said. “So hopefully, when I get on the field it’s just like a duck to water, but you never know.”