Los Angeles Dodgers defeat New York Mets, 5-3

LOS ANGELES - The Mets entered the series finale in San Francisco Sunday with a chance to sweep the Giants. At stop No.2 on their three-city trip, they'll enter the series finale trying to avoid getting swept.

John Maine had his shortest outing since April 16 and the Mets lost to the Manny Ramirez-less Dodgers, 5-3, Tuesday night. The defeat, the Mets' third straight, dropped them from first place in the NL East.

Jerry Manuel, who sat an ill Gary Sheffield, said the ...