=== New York Mets Team Report - June 25 ===

(My Sportsbook) - The New York Mets will try to get back on the winning track tongiht when they continue their three-game series against the Florida Marlins at Shea Stadium.

The Mets have dropped four in a row and are mired in last place in the NL East, four games behind the fourth-place Marlins, thanks to their 8-4 loss in the series-opener.

Roger Cedeno and Vance Wilson both homered for New York, which has lost five of its last seven. Cedeno and Ty Wigginton each registered two hits.

Al Leiter (8-4), the New York starter, absorbed the loss after being charged with eight runs -- seven earned -- on eight hits and five walks in 5 2/3 innings.

Steve Trachsel will toe the rubber tonight for the Mets. Since a four-game winning streak, the righthander is 1-3 over his last four starts. That one win was a one-hit shutout at Anaheim on June 15. In his most recent outing, Friday against the Yankees, Trachsel was saddled with the loss despite allowing just five hits and two runs in seven innings. However, he has surrendered eight homers over his last four starts.

Trachsel, who is 0-4 in six home starts this season, faced the Marlins twice earlier this year. He didn't get a decision in the Mets' 3-2 loss at Florida on April 9. He again didn't factor in the decision on April 19 in a 6-5 loss at Shea Stadium. He is 6-9 lifetime against the Marlins.

Cedeno, who stole his 200th career base Tuesday night, is two steals shy of moving into eighth place on the Mets all-time list. He has 97 as a Met while Vince Coleman had 99.

The Mets are 16-19 at home this season and have dropped five in a row at Shea Stadium.