Walk-Off HR Puts Mets Over Cubs 4-3, 11th

NEW YORK (AP) -- Victor Diaz hit a tying, three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning, and Craig Brazell&#39;s first major league home run in the 11th gave the New York Mets a stunning 4-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday.<br> <br> The Cubs had much on the line. They entered with a 1 1/2-game lead over San Francisco in the NL wild-card race. The Giants hosted Los Angeles.<br> <br> Brazell, who entered in the 11th as part of a double switch, led off the bottom half and lined a 1-2 pitch from Kent Mercker (3-1) over the right-field wall, ending Chicago&#39;s five-game winning streak.<br> <br> The rookie pumped his fist as he rounded first and was mobbed at home plate by his teammates, a rare moment of celebration for the Mets, who are 24-44 since the All-Star break.<br> <br> The Cubs had much on the line. They entered with a 1 1/2-game lead over San Francisco in the NL wild-card race. The Giants hosted Los Angeles.<br> <br> Chicago appeared to be cruising to its 14th victory in 17 games behind 7 2-3 strong innings from Mark Prior and a two-run homer by Todd Walker. But Diaz hit his second career homer off closer LaTroy Hawkins to tie it at 3.<br> <br> After getting an out to start the inning, Ryan Dempster walked Eric Valent and Jason Phillips before giving way to Hawkins. Looking for his second save in two days, Hawkins retired Jeff Keppinger before Diaz lined a 2-2 pitch over the right-field wall.<br> <br> In the 10th, the Cubs put runners on first and second, but Sammy Sosa, in a 5-for-38 slump, grounded into a double play. He struck out in his first four at-bats and left eight runners on base - five in scoring position.<br> <br> Jae Seo (5-10), the seventh Mets pitcher, worked the 11th for the win.<br> <br> Prior took a three-hitter into the eighth inning, seemingly finding his stride after missing the first two month of the season with a sore right Achilles&#39; tendon.<br> <br> Cubs manager Dusty Baker said before the game that it might have been a blessing that Prior was out early because he&#39;ll be stronger in the postseason.<br> <br> And Prior looked nearly as dominant in his 20th start of the season as he did in pitching a two-hitter in Game 3 of the 2003 division series. He allowed four hits, two walks and struck out five, running into trouble only in the fifth when he loaded the bases with no outs. But he worked out of that jam, retiring the next three batters.<br> <br> Prior was replaced by Dempster with runners on first and third and two outs in the eighth. Prior left to a loud ovation from the many Cubs fans in the crowd of 34,284.<br> <br> Aaron Heilman has had two of the best starts of his disappointing career since being recalled from the minors on Sept. 8. Once heralded as the Mets&#39; No. 1 starter of the future, he has foundered against major league hitters.<br> <br> But he was sharp last Sunday against Pittsburgh, allowing a run and two hits in 7 2-3 innings, and he gave up just three hits in five innings Saturday. Heilman struck out five, including Sosa twice.<br> <br> His only mistake came in the second when Walker followed Nomar Garciaparra&#39;s leadoff single with his 14th homer to put Chicago up 2-0.<br> <br> The Cubs added a run in the eighth on Prior&#39;s leadoff single and three walks. Sosa struck out with the bases loaded to end the inning.<br> <br> Notes:@ The Cubs have 222 homers at Shea Stadium, more than any other existing ballpark except Wrigley Field. ... The Mets improved to 1-4 against Chicago this season. ... Mets SS Kaz Matsui made his first start since sitting out Aug. 9 with a strained back. He went 0-for-2 in three innings.<br> <br> © 2004 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.