Glavine Is Just What Mets Need

Tom Glavine’s success never seems to surprise anyone, even at age 37 and in his 17th full season in the major leagues.

Glavine pitched seven strong innings, Cliff Floyd hit a two-run homer and the New York Mets ended their losing streak at five by beating the struggling Milwaukee Brewers, 9-3, Friday night.

“That’s why he’s going to the Hall of Fame,” Brewer catcher Keith Osik said of Glavine, who has 246 career victories.

The left-hander benefited from a 15-hit outburst and three unearned runs in handing the Brewers their sixth straight loss and ninth in 10 games. Milwaukee is an NL-worst 9-20 overall and 4-10 at home.

“Tommy did a fine job of pitching, traditional Glavine,” Met Manager Art Howe said. “He moved the ball in and out and changed speeds.”

Brewer outfielder and pitcher Brooks Kieschnick made his pitching debut in relief, retiring the side in order in the fifth before giving up three runs and four hits, including a two-run double by Wigginton, in the sixth.

Former Met pitcher Glendon Rusch (1-5), who had given up only one earned run in 14 innings against his former team, threw 34 pitches in the first inning and was hurt by three infield errors -- one in each of the first three innings.

The Mets made it easy for Glavine (4-2) by taking an early 5-0 lead. They scored unearned runs in each of the first two innings, the first on an RBI double by Mike Piazza and the second on a single by Roberto Alomar.

Piazza walked to start the third and Floyd hit his third home run of the season to make it 4-0.

Ty Wigginton followed with a double and scored on Glavine’s grounder up the middle that was ruled an error against second baseman Eric Young.

That was more than enough support for Glavine, who gave up four hits in the first six innings.