Friends Help Mets’ Rusch Get By

NEW YORK —  Although Glendon Rusch didn’t have his best stuff Friday night against the San Francisco Giants, a couple of big pitches and long hits gave the Mets a victory.

Rusch pitched five innings and got out of two early bases-loaded jams, and Mike Piazza and Edgardo Alfonzo each hit two-run homers in New York’s 4-1 win at Shea Stadium.

“Glendon was big tonight,” Met Manager Bobby Valentine said. “He got into two big jams early, and had to make some pitches. He did that and really deserved to get the win.”

Rick White, John Franco and Armando Benitez combined for four innings of hitless relief to stop the National League West-leading Giants’ four-game winning streak.

“We took Glendon out because we thought he had had enough,” Valentine said. “But the bullpen was rested and efficient tonight. That’s the sort of thing crucial for us to win.”

The Giants had a chance to get to Rusch (8-9) early, but left the bases loaded in the second and third innings.

“Obviously, I didn’t have my best stuff and command tonight,” Rusch said. “But when you have that type of lineup and defense behind, sometimes it just works out for you.”

Jeff Kent opened the second with a double and two outs later Rusch walked J.T. Snow and Doug Mirabelli. But Mark Gardner hit a line drive right at center fielder Jay Payton to end the threat.

In the third, Russ Davis hit a one-out single. After Barry Bonds was called out on strikes, Kent walked. Burks followed with a grounder down the third-base line that Robin Ventura fielded.

Ventura took a swipe with his glove at Davis, who was running to third, but third-base umpire Scott Higgins ruled Ventura missed the tag to load the bases. Replays showed Ventura’s glove did miss Davis, and the play was ruled a hit.

Rusch got out of the jam as Rich Aurilia was called out on strikes.

“That was real key,” Giant Manager Dusty Baker said. “There’s no guarantee that we’re going to come through in that situation, but we had no chance with that call.”