Marlins Blank Mets

Mike Piazza's streak of 15 straight games with an RBI ended Monday night when Derrek Lee hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning to give the Florida Marlins a 2-0 victory over the New York Mets.

Piazza came close to extending his string, hitting a high fly off the left-field scoreboard for a double in the eighth inning. That stretched his hitting streak to 21 games.

The major league record for consecutive games with an RBI is 17, set by Ray Grimes of the Cubs in 1922.

Piazza went 1-for-4 with three flyouts, the first two coming with runners in scoring position. In the eighth, he got a second chance when Lee, the Marlins' first baseman, overran Piazza's foul ball down the line no error was charged.

Starters Jesus Sanchez of the Marlins and Bobby J. Jones of the Mets were gone when the game was decided.

With one out in the Marlins ninth, Mike Lowell singled off Turk Wendell (4-4). Lee followed with his 17th home run, a drive over the center-field fence.

Armando Almanza (2-0) got two outs for the win. He struck ouMelvin Mora with a runner on second to end the ninth.

Sanchez, who hasn't won since April 22 a drought that included an 0-7 record with four no-decisions allowed four hits in eight shutout innings. He struck out four and walked four.

After Piazza doubled with two outs in the eighth, Sanchez intentionally walked Todd Zeile and got Robin Ventura on a deep flyout to center.

Jones, who entered the game with a two-game win streak but an 8.10 ERA, gave up four hits in six innings. He walked none and struck out five.

Notes