Brewers Are Remedy for Ailing Mets

A pregame players-only meeting helped the sliding New York Mets relax.

Benny Agbayani’s aggressiveness, Milwaukee’s shoddy defense and Bobby J. Jones’ efficient pitching got them a much-needed win.

Agbayani hit a solo home run and also scored on his own two-run single as the Mets’ bats awoke from their silent September to defeat the Brewers, 10-2, Tuesday night.

“The guys talked before the game about coming out and being aggressive,” Met Manager Bobby Valentine said. “They came out and walked the talk.”

The Mets scored four runs in the second--more runs than they had in 12 of the past 15 games--aided by backup catcher Tyler Houston’s two throwing errors and a two-run single by Agbayani.

On the play, Agbayani came around to score on a wild sequence of Milwaukee throws around the infield.

Houston fielded Lou Collier’s wide throw home from center and tried to nab Agbayani at second. The low throw hit shortstop Mark Loretta’s glove and deflected into shallow left-center field. Agbayani raced home, beating Collier’s throw to pitcher John Snyder (3-9), who was covering the plate.

New York had scored only 30 runs in losing eight of 10 to open the month and tension was building around the clubhouse. That led to the meeting, which players described as a reminder to have a little fun again.

Despite the slow September, the Mets are within two games of first-place Atlanta in the National League East and have a 4 1/2-game margin over Arizona for the wild card.