Mets' victory brings thrill, joy and relief

Associated Press

NEW YORK — Mike Piazza gave all of New York a home run from the heart.

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New York Mets fan Bobby Amos, like many in the Shea Stadium crowd of 41,235, waved American flags before yesterdayâs game with Atlanta. Associated Press

"I'm just so happy I gave the people something to cheer," Piazza said. "There was a lot of emotion. It was just a surreal sort of energy out there. I'm just so proud to be a part of it tonight."

"These people are great," he said. "New York has been so strong through all this. I feel so sad. I met two kids today who lost their fathers."

Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, Liza Minnelli and Diana Ross took part in the ceremonies as baseball returned to the city for the first time since last week's terrorist attacks. A crowd of 41,235 included almost 10,000 walkup fans.

Piazza had already doubled twice when he hit his 34th home run, a monstrous drive over the center-field fence off native New Yorker Steve Karsay (3-4).

"I'm glad to give people a diversion from the sorrow, to give them a thrill," Piazza said.

The surging Mets, playing at Shea Stadium for the first time since Sept. 2, have won four in a row and 10 of 11. The defending NL champions pulled within 4 1/2 games of the first-place Braves.

"If the season ends tomorrow, we're all winners, because we didn't give up," Piazza said.

Philadelphia, which beat Florida 1-0, closed within a half-game of Atlanta.

Feelings were running high on and off the field.

Karsay, still upset about a close, 3-2 pitch to Edgardo Alfonzo that resulted in a one-out walk before Piazza, was ejected when the inning ended. He charged plate umpire Wally Bell, and was restrained by teammates.

"I'm a guy who never argues about balls and strikes," Karsay said. "I've never been thrown out of a game before. But when you're in a pennant race, things get hot."

Said Bell: "I told him the pitch was high."

Armando Benitez (6-3) got the win despite giving up Brian Jordan's go-ahead double in the eighth.