Houston Astros defeat New York Mets, 5-4

HOUSTON - Even Mike Hampton can outslug the Mets.

(That's outslug in the longball sense, not referring to minor-league-clubhouse-type zaniness.)

Hampton belted a two-run homer off Johan Santana, and the Mets fell seven games under .500 for the first time in five years with a 5-4 loss to the Astros Friday night.

The Mets, trailing by a run in the seventh, had Jeff Francoeur thrown out at the plate to end the half-inning on an aggressive send by third base coach Razor ...