Valent Does His Part for the Mets

Cliff Floyd’s injury gave Eric Valent an opportunity at San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the former UCLA star hit his first major league home run, a go-ahead, two-run drive that helped the New York Mets and Tom Glavine (2-0) defeat the Montreal Expos, 4-1, Sunday.

Mike Piazza, making his first start for the Mets at first base, also was injured. The All-Star catcher collided with Peter Bergeron in the third inning after Bergeron bunted to Glavine.

Piazza reached into foul territory in an attempt to grab Glavine’s throw, which got away. Piazza appeared to be brushed in the head by Bergeron’s knee.

Floyd injured his right thigh running out a grounder in the first inning and had to be helped from the field. Valent pinch-ran and went to right field in the bottom half.

With the score tied, 1-1, in the sixth and a runner on third, Valent sent a 66-mph curveball from Livan Hernandez (0-1) into the right-field bleachers.

Florida 3, Philadelphia 1 -- Josh Beckett was sharp again, and the Marlins beat the Phillies again. Beckett (1-0) gave up two hits and struck out 11 in seven innings to help the World Series champions complete a sweep of the three-game series at Miami. The Marlins have won 10 in a row against Philadelphia at Miami and have beaten the Phillies 13 times in the last 15 games.

Houston 7, Milwaukee 4 -- Lance Berkman hit a grand slam and drove in five runs to lead the Astros at Milwaukee. The homer, his first of the season, capped a five-run rally against Doug Davis (1-1) in the third inning. The four runs batted in were his first this season. It was Berkman’s third career grand slam. His previous grand slam had been June 20, 2002, also at Milwaukee.

Pittsburgh 4, Cincinnati 3 -- Rob Mackowiak hit a two-run homer, Raul Mondesi drove in two runs and the Pirates avoided a three-game sweep at Cincinnati. Four Pittsburgh relievers combined to give up two hits in four scoreless innings. Jose Mesa pitched a perfect ninth for his third save in three opportunities.

St. Louis 6, Arizona 5 -- Marlon Anderson’s pinch-hit homer against Matt Mantei (0-1) in the ninth inning gave the Cardinals a three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks at Phoenix. Anderson hit a 1-and-2 pitch over the right-field fence.