Johnson ‘Throws’ One to Dodgers : He Uncorks a Wild Toss in 16th, and Mets Lose, 3-2

Danny Heep scored from second base on a throwing error by Howard Johnson in the 16th inning Sunday, allowing the Dodgers to snap a nine-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over the New York Mets.

Heep led off with a walk off Randy Myers (2-5). After Dave Anderson sacrificed, Mike Devereaux grounded to third baseman Johnson, who backhanded the ball but threw past first baseman Keith Hernandez.

Tim Belcher, who pitched two innings in his major-league debut, recorded the victory. The game, which took 5 hours 16 minutes, was the longest for both teams this season.

New York, which had won six in a row, fell 3 1/2 games behind first-place St. Louis in the National League East. The Cardinals defeated San Diego, 6-4.

The Dodgers’ nine-game losing streak was the team’s longest since 1973. The Dodgers also had lost a record nine consecutive games in Los Angeles.

The Mets loaded the bases with one out in the 13th against Brian Holton but did not score. Rafael Santana grounded to second baseman Steve Sax, who threw home to force Hernandez. Bill Almon grounded to short to end the threat.

The Dodgers failed to score on two bases-loaded, one-out situations in extra innings. In the 12th, Alex Trevino bounced into a double play. Jesse Orosco struck out pinch-hitter Tito Landrum and induced Trevino to foul out in the 10th.

The Mets tied the score, 2-2, in the ninth.