PIAZZA DOES IT AGAIN : NEW YORK 6, DODGERS 2 CATCHER GOES 4 FOR 4 WITH 2ND HOMER OF SERIES.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

Juan Castro was activated Tuesday and had seen half an inning of action. Alex Cora came to the Dodgers the same day and started once. The Dodgers' September callups haven't exactly been overwhelmed with playing time, particularly because the Mets are in town.

``I'll probably play some more of the callups on Monday (against Montreal),'' Dodgers manager Davey Johnson said. ``But because (the Mets) are in a fight for a wild card, I'll put my best foot forward.''

Of course, with the way the Dodgers have walked this season, it means they'll most likely trip and fall anyway, which is what they did in a 6-2 loss to the Mets on Saturday at Dodger Stadium.

Former Dodgers catcher Mike Piazza hit his second two-run homer of the series and went 4 for 4. The four hits tied a career-high, the 18th time he's managed the feat.

Right-hander Ismael Valdes, the tough-luck loser this season in dropping a plethora of one-run decisions, had no one to blame but himself for this one.

Coming off an atrocious three-inning, six-run stint against Florida, Valdes lacked control and command in allowing six runs in five-plus innings against the Mets. Not only did Valdes yield eight hits, he walked five and threw 105 pitches in a shining example of how not to be efficient

Until the start against the Marlins, Valdes hadn't allowed six earned runs this season. Now, he's allowed six earned runs in each of his last two starts, during which he has a 13.50 ERA and has seen his ERA rise from 3.27 to 3.69.

Valdes (9-14) leads the Dodgers in losses. He's lost three straight, and six of his last seven decisions. The Dodgers lost for the 10th time in the last 11 games Valdes started.

Piazza's 35th homer of the season gave the Mets a 2-0 lead in the third, but the Dodgers tied it with Eric Young's third-inning ground out and Todd Hundley's fourth-inning homer. It was Hundley's 22nd homer.

The Mets, who entered the day four games behind Atlanta in the NL East but 2-1/2 games ahead of Cincinnati in the wild card race, chased Valdes when the first five batters of the sixth inning reached base. It began with Piazza's single to left, Robin Ventura walked and Shawon Dunston singled to right to load the bases.

Former Dodger Roger Cedeno stroked a two-run single to left to give the Mets a 4-2 lead and Rey Ordonez followed with a two-run single to center to make it 6-2.

The Mets leave town after tonight's game and Montreal comes to town for three games. That should give Johnson the opportunity to look at Castro and Cora, though both have major league experience.

DODGERS vs. NEW YORK 

Time: 5:05 p.m., at Dodger Stadium.

TV/Radio: Fox Sports West 2; KXTA-AM, KWKW-AM (1330 Spanish).

Matchup: Rookie right-hander Eric Gagne (0-0, 0.00 ERA) was so impressive in his major-league debut last week that the Dodgers' decision-makers were smiling despite a loss. Gagne, 23, allowed two hits and no runs in six innings against Florida on Tuesday. He didn't allow a runner to reach second base. Gagne was the Texas League Pitcher of the Year after going 12-4 with a 2.63 ERA in 26 starts for Double-A San Antonio. The Mets will throw lefty Kenny Rogers (4-0, 3.15) in the finale of the four-game series. Rogers, acquired in a trade from Oakland, is coming off a four-hit shutout of San Francisco.

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PHOTO The Mets' Rickey Henderson, right, and the Dodgers' Mark Grudzielanek wait for the umpire's call after Henderson tried to steal second. He was called out.

Kevin Karzin/Associated Press