Astros Grand Slam Mets In 8th

Ken Caminiti wanted to hide in the top of the eighth inning, but he atoned for his mistake moments later and couldn't get away from his teammates.

The third baseman's throwing error allowed the New York Mets to tie the game, but his grand slam in the bottom of the inning gave the Houston Astros an emotional 6-2 victory over the Mets.

"Redemption, that's all I was thinking," Caminiti said after being mobbed by his teammates after the home run.

Caminiti's miscue allowed Edgardo Alfonzo to reach first base just before John Olerud's 16th home run tied the game at 2.

Lima, who became the National League's first 18-game winner, had faith in Caminiti.

"He told me `Lima, Lima, pick me up,"' Lima said with a laugh. "But that situation was my fault because I didn't get us out of the inning."

When Caminiti hit the home run, the always emotional Lima couldn't contain himself.

"I screamed so hard, my throat still hurts," he said. "I hit him like 20 times when he got to the dugout."

It was a big win for the Astros, who had lost to the Mets 17-1 a day earlier. They extended their lead to 1 1/2 games in the NL Central over second-place Cincinnati, which lost to Atlanta 8-2. The Mets dropped 3 1/2 games behind the first-place Braves in the NL East.

"It was a really interesting game," Houston manager Larry Dierker said. "Lima and (Kenny) Rogers were hooked up in a good pitching duel. Then there was the squeeze play we committed and theCaminiti made the error."

Caminiti has spent the majority of the season on the disabled list with a strained right calf.

"It was nice to see him get that hit," said teammate Jeff Bagwell. "He's starting to hit now and he's starting to feel a part of the team again. I know what it's like to be on the DL for a long time and to come back like this can really help your confidence."

Craig Biggio walked, Matt Mieske doubled and the Mets intentionally walked Jeff to get to Caminiti.

"It's a no-brainer walking Bagwell," Mets manager Bobby Valentine said. "Last time we faced (Caminiti) we had good luck. This time we gave up a homer."

Turk Wendell (3-2) pitched one inning, giving up two hits and two walks and all four runs.

Russ Johnson executed a perfect suicide squeeze bunt to score Bagwell and Ryan Thompson doubled home Caminiti to give Houston a 2-0 lead in the seventh.

Rogers left after seven innings. He allowed five hits and two runs with six strikeouts and two walks.

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