Mets’ Bell Sidelined for Rest of Postseason

Right fielder Derek Bell of the New York Mets will miss the rest of the postseason after spraining his ankle in Game 1 of the National League division series against San Francisco.

Bell had an MRI exam Friday that revealed a high ankle sprain. Met Manager Bobby Valentine said such injuries usually require at least three weeks of recovery.

Bell cannot be replaced on the playoff roster until the next series. Rookie Timo Perez, who played well in place of Bell during Thursday night’s 5-4, 10-inning win, will fill in, along with Darryl Hamilton and Bubba Trammell.

“Derek had a lot of experience that will be missed when we play Timo or Bubba,” Valentine said.

The best-of-five series is tied at 1-1. Game 3 is today at Shea Stadium.

Bell, who has been hurt several times this year, slipped and fell on the grass at Pacific Bell Park when Barry Bonds’ triple ricocheted off a wall and went past him.

In his first year with the Mets, Bell hit .266 with 18 homers and 69 runs batted in.

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Perez has provided the Mets with a true leadoff hitter and added a much-needed spark to the lineup--similar to the role former Met Melvin Mora played for the team in the postseason last year.

Perez, who played five seasons in Japan, had three hits Thursday night, including a two-run single and a bunt single on a 3-2 count.

“I think after playing in Japan, he doesn’t have any fear going out there and playing,” Hamilton said. “He’s very positive when he goes out there and plays. He knows that when he goes out there that he can make something happen to help this ballclub win.”

Perez, who said he made the decision to bunt on the full count, is confident he can step into the lineup every day.

“I think it is a great honor to be compared to Melvin Mora, and I know the job he did last year,” Perez said through an interpreter. “Being compared with him says people are happy with the job I’m doing.”

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The Giants are hoping they haven’t seen the last of Pac Bell Park this season.

“They dealt with our fans and they got a win out of it,” Giant second baseman Jeff Kent said. “Now we’ll just head to New York and hopefully do the same so they can come back here and get a taste of our fans again (in Game 5).”

The Giants outscored the Mets, 32-11, in a four-game sweep at home in May before losing three of four in New York in August.

“I think a lot of guys are aware that we lost three of four going in there. They know Shea can be difficult,” Kent said.

The Giants still have many fans in New York from their Polo Grounds days, but Valentine doesn’t think their presence will be a factor.

“Sure, I think there’s a lot of Giants’ fans still here in New York,” Valentine said. “But I doubt they’ll be able to get any tickets.”

THE SERIES

Game 1: San Francisco 5, New York 1

Game 2: New York 5, San Francisco 4 (10)

Today: San Francisco (Ortiz) at New York (Reed), 1:15 p.m., Ch. 11

Sunday: San Francisco (Gardner) at New York (B.J. Jones), TBA

* Monday: New York at San Francisco, 5:15 p.m., Ch. 11

* If necessary All times PDT