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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Slumping Mets meet

Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

After a four-game losing streak and a franchise-record 10 errors in two ghastly games, the New York Mets held a closed-door team meeting before Tuesday’s game against the Washington Nationals.

Mets manager Willie Randolph said that some of his players came to him and asked to address the team. Randolph said he talked to his team “briefly” on Tuesday, then left the players alone when he came out to speak to the media.

Players declined to discuss the meeting when they took the field for pregame warmups, but Tom Glavine said earlier in the day that he might ask a few veterans to talk to the team.

“If we have a meeting, it doesn’t mean we’re going to go out and win the next 12 games,” Glavine said. “Sometimes, during the course of a season, it doesn’t hurt to get guys together and remind them of some things.

“We’re a better team than we’ve looked the past couple of days. But when you don’t play good defense, it looks a lot uglier than it really is.”

The meeting hasn’t helped yet.

The Mets blew three different four-run leads in a 9-8 loss to the Nationals on Tuesday night in Washington.

•Right-hander Brian Lawrence was designated for assignment by the Mets. To fill his roster spot, New York purchased the contract of veteran left-hander Dave Williams from Triple-A New Orleans.

•Mets utility man Marlon Anderson was suspended for two games, three days after he was ejected for arguing a called third strike. Anderson appealed the suspension.

Around the league

Texas Rangers pitcher Vicente Padilla was suspended for seven games and Oakland Athletics outfielder Nick Swisher was given three games. Padilla was suspended for intentionally throwing at Swisher, who charged the mound. Both players also received undisclosed fines. Swisher began his suspension Tuesday, while Padilla appealed his. … St. Louis pitcher Mark Mulder underwent an MRI exam and nerve condition study after complaining of discomfort in his surgically repaired shoulder. … Milwaukee Brewers ace Ben Sheets left his start against the Houston Astros before the second inning with tightness in his left hamstring. … Baltimore Orioles pitcher Daniel Cabrera dropped his appeal and started serving his six-game suspension for throwing at Boston’s Dustin Pedroia this month. … Baltimore outfielder Jay Gibbons met with two officials from the baseball commissioner’s office to discuss a report he received performance-enhancing steroids and human growth hormone after both substances were banned by baseball. There was no indication whether there would be any follow-up.