Daily News from New York, New York • 50

lO rY 3 jHI t- I I tucker rolls Legendary hoop ground attracts corporate world Michael O'Keeffe, Pages 94-95 nn uuu Collapse wastes Desi's HR in 9th By DARREN EVERSON DAHy NEWS SPORTS WRITER On Mookie Wilson Bobblehead Doll Day at Shea, fans got a miniature Met and a microcosm of the team's season. All for one low price. The Braves beat the Mets, 9-3, in 1 1 innings yesterday. Despite Desi Relaford's game-tying, ninth-inning "We know we're running out of time," said center fielder Darryl Hamilton, who was thrown out at the plate after tagging up to end the third. "We're not running out of time in terms of the standings; we're running out of time with these guys in the clubhouse, including myself.

We know something's coming." The Mets sighed and shrugged. They got a decent performance from their starter Glendon Rusch, who allowed three runs in six innings. Still one basic flaw stood out: home run, and despite getting the first two outs in the 1 1th, the Mets still suffered a demoralizing defeat. The Braves loaded the bases against Rick White, BRAVES 9 METS 3 (sixth inning) and Relaford. The Relaford shot came against Mike Remlinger, who was trying to close the game for the John Rocker-less Braves.

Atlanta dealt Rocker to the Indians for pitchers Steve Reed and Steve Karsay on Friday and Karsay likely will be the closer from now on, but he was not activated after pitching Friday night for the Indians. Relaford's home run revived the Mets and sent the game to extra innings. But Reed (1-0) ended up getting the victory, as he pitched the 10th inning. Relaford's home run became just a line in the box score; his diving play was not even that. "It's not even a factor at that point," Relaford said.

"When you try to do things to help the team win, but they do more, it cancels them out." White felt the most snake-bit. After getting the first two outs of the 1 1th, he gave up two singles one a bloop by Dave Martinez and a walk before the Furcal hit. White felt like he had to get six outs. "That's the way I felt out there today," said White (1-1). "Basically, I did all I could do out there today.

I'm not a strikeout pitcher. I'm a ground ball pitcher." White got ground balls, but still they didn't work out for the Mets. the Mets inability to score. They failed to score with the bases loaded and one out in the third. Mike Piazza grounded into double plays in the fifth and 10th innings.

Lenny Harris followed Piazza's lOth-inning double play with a pinch-hit single, but then he was caught stealing with Robin Ventura at the plate. "It's obviously been frustrating, but what can you do?" Piazza asked. "You just throw your hands up in frustration and come out tomorrow and battle." The Mets scored only on home runs by Escobar (second inning), Todd Zeile and then Rafael Furcal hit a grounder that seemed destined for right field. Relaford, the Met second baseman, made a diving grab on it and fired to first. The play was so close, first baseman Mark Johnson didn't know for sure whether the speedy Furcal was safe.

But of course he was. That's the way the Mets season has gone and continues to go. Rico Brogna scored on Fu real's hit and the Braves poured it on after that. Met killer Chipper Jones had a home run and three RBI in the Mets' third straight loss. im i.jiijm, iuiih yi i .11, i.

ijii.huj I. JI II I i-- -r-r y. I One step forward, two steps back Just as Mets appear ready to climb back into N.L East race, they slide back down among the also-rans: Win 3 of 4 to pull within nine games of front-running Phillies, but are swept in three-game series at the Vet, dropping 12 back. Win 4 of 5 2 of 3 from Phils then lose first two games against Devil Rays, who own league's worst record. Win 3 of 4 and are nine back of Phils heading into Subway Series, but drop first two games to Yanks, each by one run to fall 10 back.

Win 4 of 5 entering this weekend's series with Braves, but drop first two by combined score of 19-7, falling seven games back of Atlanta. JOHN ROCA DAILY NEWS Rick White cant provide relief for Mets in disastrous 11th inning, allowing six runs and five hits as Braves win second straight at Shea. I Desi Relaford tumbles.