The New York Mets finally put their regular starting lineup on the field in their 29th game of the season today and defeated the Phillies 7-5 at Shea Stadium in New York.

Mike Piazza led the New York attack with four hits including a three-run home run off of Tim Worrell in the eighth inning which gave the Mets a 7-2 lead. Piazza's big day ended a 1-for-21 slump for the slugging catcher.

The Mets had two key players making their season debuts today and both played well. Starting pitcher Kris Benson made his first start of the year after spraining a muscle in his chest, pitched 4 2/3 effective innings, allowing two runs on five hits. Meanwhile, outfielder Mike Cameron's first major league game this season included two doubles in four at-bats although he made one error in right field.

The Phillies made the game close in the ninth inning when Jimmy Rollins connected on a three-run home run off of Mets pitcher Mike DeJean. That closed the gap to 7-5 but Braden Looper struck out Pat Burrell who represented the tying run to end the game.

Aaron Heilman (3-2) pitched 3 1/3 innings to pick up the win in relief for New York while Braden Looper earned the save. Phillies starter Vincente Padilla (0-4) took the loss after allowing four earned runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Cliff Floyd of the Mets entered the game with a 20 game hitting streak. He was given the day off by Mets manager Willie Randolph and did not make an appearance as a pinch hitter. His hitting streak remains in tact as the Mets travel to Milwaukee for a three-game weekend series.

The win improved the Mets to 15-14 on the season while Philadelphia dropped to 12-17.