Wilson’s Homer in 14th Gives the Mets a 4-3 Victory Over Dodgers

Mookie Wilson didn’t know what it was--but he knew where it went.

“It was a slow pitch, I’m not sure exactly what,” Wilson said Sunday after he led off the 14th inning with a home run to break a 3-3 tie and give the New York Mets a 4-3 victory over the Dodgers.

“I just look for the ball. When I see it, I try to hit it.”

The triumph enabled the Mets to creep within a half-game of the Cardinals in the NL East. New York and St. Louis begin a three-game series Tuesday night at Shea Stadium.

Making his first start since June 28, Wilson ripped the first pitch from Carlos Diaz (4-3) for his fourth homer of the year. Wilson underwent surgery July 3 on his right shoulder and was reactivated Sept. 1.

I made some good pitches, but I made a bad one to Wilson,” said Diaz. “The ball was right there. I think I might’ve hit it out.”

Doug Sisk, the fifth New York pitcher, worked the final two innings to raise his record to 4-5.

With the Mets leading, 3-1, in the eighth, the Dodgers tied it on Mike Marshall’s two-run homer. Mariano Duncan led off with a walk before Marshall crashed his 19th homer into the center-field stands.

The Mets had gone ahead in their half of the eighth when Rafael Santana singled and advanced to second on third baseman Dave Anderson’s throwing error. He then took third on pinch-hitter Rusty Staub’s groundout and scored on starter Orel Hershiser’s wild pitch.

Wilson was safe at first when shortstop Duncan fumbled his grounder for an error. He stole second and scored on Keith Hernandez’ single to right.

The Mets took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Gary Carter homered into the left-field bullpen. It was his 26th homer of the year and it extended his hitting streak to 10 games.

The Dodgers tied it in the fifth when Steve Sax reached first on Wally Backman’s error, stole second and took third on Hershiser’s bunt single. Sax then scored on Duncan’s sacrifice fly.