--RF Ryan Church, who went 3-for-25 during the Mets' disappointing road trip to Washington and Atlanta, had two hits and two walks Monday in the Mets' homestand opener against Chicago, though Church's pop-out stalled a seventh-inning comeback bid. Interim manager Jerry Manuel doesn't feel like he has a viable option to replace the lefty-hitting Church, at least against southpaws, now that OF Fernando Tatis is sidelined with a separated shoulder. Manuel said OF Endy Chavez, another lefty hitter, is his lone alternative.

--RHP Duaner Sanchez tossed a scoreless inning Monday against the Cubs. Sanchez has fallen out of favor despite the Mets' overall bullpen struggles. Sanchez had not pitched in a week, since allowing three runs, including an Elijah Dukes home run, on Sept. 15 at Washington.

--Tom Seaver, Mike Piazza, Willie Mays and Keith Hernandez are expected to be among the franchise greats participating in a ceremony following the final regular-season game at Shea Stadium on Sunday. The Mets move into Citi Field in 2009.

BY THE NUMBERS: 50 -- First-inning hits by SS Jose Reyes this season through Sept. 19, setting a franchise record. Reyes, who had 49 first-inning hits in 2006, had shared the record with Felix Millan, who had 49 in 1975.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "That speech I gave, I won't be selling any CDs." -- Interim manager Jerry Manuel, after a 15-minute pre-game meeting on Sept. 16 in Washington failed to inspire the Mets, who lost that night's game, 1-0, to the Nationals.