Reed, Mets Beat Cubs 2-1

Rick Reed said his home run was nothing more than luck -- good luck for the New York Mets and bad luck for the Chicago Cubs.

Reed hit the second homer of his career Wednesday night and limited the Cubs to four hits in seven scoreless innings, pitching the Mets to their fourth straight victory, 2-1. It was the Cubs' fourth straight loss.

The Mets' victory completed a unique day of baseball at Shea Stadium. Earlier, the New York Yankees beat the Anaheim Angels 6-3 in a game moved to the ballpark because of structural problems at Yankee Stadium.

It was the first time this century two regular-season games involving four major-league teams were played in the same stadium on the same day. The Yankees game had an attendance of 40,743, while the Mets drew 16,012.

Reed (1-1) connected in the second inning against Steve Trachsel (2-1).

A week ago, Reed pitched against Trachel in Chicago and was awful, allowing seven earned runs and 10 hits in 3 2-3 innings. The only good thing that came from that start was an at-bat.

"I faced him once in Chicago and he threw me a fastball," Reed said. "For some reason, I expected it again and I got it."

The first-pitch homer following a hit batsman in the second inning, sailed into the Cubs bullpen and provided all the runs the Mets needed.

Reed also dominated the Cubs on the mound, an impressive turnaround from his first outing against them. He credited some videotape with the change.

"We had some film from Chicago and I watched it for three days," he said. "I learned something from that and it paid off. I changed my mechanics. I was overstriding too far. That was the basic mechanical change."

Reed walked two and struck out two. He hit the second home run of his career.

The homer came after Tim Spehr was hit by a pitch with two out in the second inning. Reed homered on the next pitch.

The Cubs' best shot at him came in the fifth inning when Jeff Blauser and Kevin Orie opened with singles. Scott Servais flied out and Trachsel forced Blauser at third on an attempted sacrifice.

After Brant Brown walked, loading the bases, Mickey Morandini grounded out.

Reed left for a pinch-hitter in the seventh. Dennis Cook came on and surrendered Sammy Sosa's third home run of the season with two out in the eighth. It was the first run Cook has allowed in eight games this season.

John Franco pitched the ninth for his third save.

The Mets threatened Trachsel in the first when Rey Ordonez opened with a single. After Matt Franco and Bernard Gilkey were retired, John Olerud walked. Butch Huskey then singled to righ, but Sosa's throw to Servais cut down Ordonez trying to score.

Trachsel allowed five hits in six innings, walking three and striking out three.

Notes