Cedeno Keeps Giving Mets More Than They Wanted

The New York Mets didn’t want Roger Cedeno.

Nothing personal, it’s just that Met General Manager Steve Phillips considered Todd Hollandsworth a better player.

So when the Dodgers and Mets began working on the Todd Hundley trade during the off-season, Phillips requested that Hollandsworth be included in the package for the power-hitting catcher. Dodger General Manager Kevin Malone countered with the little-used Cedeno, and Phillips reluctantly agreed.

Boy, did Phillips ever get lucky.

Cedeno has been among the biggest surprises in the major leagues, and the young switch-hitting outfielder continued to torment his former team Saturday night during the Mets’ 6-2 victory at Dodger Stadium.

His bases-loaded, two-run single in the sixth inning broke a 2-2 tie, helping the Mets score four runs in the inning while chasing Dodger starter Ismael Valdes before a crowd of 47,747.

Former Dodger Mike Piazza also had a good night. Piazza went four for four and hit his 35th home run--a two-run blast--against Valdes (9-14), who has pitched poorly in his last two outings.

For the 18th time, Piazza matched his career high with four hits. He walked in his first at-bat, reaching base in his five plate appearances.

Met starter Masato Yoshii remained among the hottest starters in the National League, winning his third consecutive start. Yoshii (11-8) gave up only six hits and two runs. Hundley hit his 22nd homer--a solo shot--against Yoshii in the fourth.

The Mets improved to 87-56 and now trail the Atlanta Braves by three games in the NL East. The slumping Dodgers (66-76) have lost five of six.

Just another typical night at Chavez Ravine, where the Dodgers are usually at their best. Ex-Dodgers, that is.

“You always want to do a good job and help your team,” said Cedeno, who went two for four Saturday. “That’s all that matters, to help your team win.”

The right fielder has been doing his part throughout the season. Cedeno is batting .310 and has established a new franchise record with 62 stolen bases, breaking the previous mark of 58 set by Mookie Wilson in 1982.

Cedeno robbed Gary Sheffield of a potential game-tying, solo homer Thursday in the seventh inning of a 3-1 Met victory in the series opener. On Saturday, Cedeno made a big play with his bat in the sixth.

Piazza, who staked Yoshii to a 2-0 lead in the third with his homer to right field against Valdes, singled to start the sixth. Valdes walked Robin Ventura and Shawon Dunston singled to right to load the bases.

With the infield in, Valdes went to a 3-and-0 count against Cedeno. On a 3-and-1 pitch, Cedeno singled to left to drive in Piazza and Ventura.

Dunston went to third and Cedeno to second when Sheffield booted the ball for an error. With the infield still in, Rey Ordonez then singled under the glove of diving shortstop Mark Grudzielanek, driving in Dunston and Cedeno.

The Mets had a 6-2 lead and Valdes was done. He gave up eight hits and six runs in five-plus innings.

Valdes struggled with his command, walking five while throwing only 60 strikes in 105 pitches. Valdes was coming off his worst and shortest performance of the season Monday in an 8-6 loss to the Florida Marlins.

He gave up seven hits--including two homers--and six runs in only three innings in that game.