(My Sportsbook) - The San Francisco Giants will try to snap a season-high five-game slide as they open up a four-game weekend set against the New York Mets tonight at Pac Bell Park.

San Francisco, which currently leads the NL West by five games over the Los Angeles Dodgers, has its longest losing streak since dropping eight in a row, May 12-20, 2000.

The Giants were swept in three games by the Expos, including yesterday's 6-3 defeat. Rich Aurilia had two hits, including a homer, for the Giants.

Expected to take the mound tonight for San Francisco is Kirk Rueter who has put up outstanding numbers thus far.

Rueter hasn't lost in his last two outings (1-0) and has a 1.50 ERA (1 run, 12 innings) in that span. The 32-year-old southpaw didn't get a decision in his last outing which took place last Saturday against Atlanta. Rueter is 2-5 lifetime in 14 starts versus the Mets.

After going winless in his first 12 starts against New York, Rueter is 2-0 with a 1.15 ERA (2 runs, 15 2/3 innings) in his last two efforts.

This is the first meeting of the season between the clubs. The Giants won all six contests versus the Mets last year and have won seven straight in the series and 11 of the last 14. Additionally, the Giants have won 10 in a row at home over the Mets, last losing in San Francisco to them August 15, 1999.

Despite the recent slide, the Giants still hold a five-game lead over Los Angeles in the NL West.