Denver ? It was nothing personal.

Jay Payton tormented his former team Friday night, the same thing he’s been doing to just about every other opponent since coming to the Colorado Rockies in a trade with the New York Mets on July 31.

Houston right fielder Orlando Merced goes high against the outfield wall but can't get to a solo homer by Cincinnati's Ken Griffey Jr. in the first inning of Friday's game in Houston.

Payton homered and drove in four runs as the Rockies handed the Mets their 12th straight loss, 10-4.

In 20 games with the Rockies, Payton is hitting .413 with five homers and 19 RBIs.

“I wasn’t trying to do anything different from what I’ve done since I’ve been here, really,” Payton said. “I’m trying to keep it going and that is all I’m trying to do.

“I knew who the opposition was, but I don’t hold any bad feelings towards the Mets organization. They gave me a chance to play in the major leagues. I just am trying to help my team win. It’s fun to win no matter who it is, and if you can contribute to a win, it’s a good day.”

It is the Mets’ sixth-longest losing streak in franchise history and the longest in 22 years, since they dropped 13 in a row from Aug. 31-Sept. 12, 1980.

In the somber Mets clubhouse, manager Bobby Valentine bit his lip and was near tears after the game.

“Somebody had the audacity to say that I am trying to get fired from this job or that I want to quit,” Valentine said. “The job that I hold the highest place of any job in the country, in the world. The thing that I live and breathe and die for every second of my life. It’s insulting, it’s degrading, it’s eating at my soul. It is the worst thing that has ever been said about me in my life.

“And if it is ever said again, I’ll find the person that said it and I will get …,” his voice trailing off.

Pirates 6, Brewers 3

Milwaukee Adam Hyzdu hit a grand slam and the Pittsburgh Pirates once again beat the Milwaukee Brewers. The Pirates are 13-4 against Milwaukee this year, including a 7-1 record at Miller Park. Brewers reliever Jayson Durocher (1-1) escaped a bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning, but wasn’t so fortunate in the seventh while trying to protect a 3-2 lead.

Astros 6, Reds 4

Houston Brad Ausmus and Adam Everett hit consecutive RBI doubles in the fifth inning as the Astros sent the Reds to their fifth straight loss. Brian Hunter added two RBIs as the Astros won their third straight.

Pete Munro (4-2) allowed four runs and seven hits in five innings. Billy Wagner pitched the ninth for his 29th save in 35 opportunities.

Padres 18, Marlins 2

San Diego Bubba Trammell hit his second homer of the game in San Diego’s nine-run fifth inning. Trammell went 4-for-5 with four runs and four RBIs. He hit a two-run homer in the second inning off Carl Pavano (3-10) and a solo shot to start the scoring in the fifth against reliever Vic Darensbourg. Trammell added an RBI single in the inning and Ramon Vazquez also drove in two runs.

D-backs 3, Cubs 2

Phoenix Byung-Hyun Kim struck out Sammy Sosa with runners on second and third to end the game. Sosa swung and missed at a 1-2 pitch, leaving him 0-for-9 with seven strikeouts lifetime against Kim. Kim earned his 32nd save.

Dodgers 4, Braves 3

Los Angeles Paul Lo Duca was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the ninth inning. Eric Gagne (2-1) pitched a perfect ninth to get the victory. Lo Duca homered in the first inning.

Phillies 5, Cardinals 4, (14)

St. Louis Bobby Abreu homered to lead off the 14th inning as Philadelphia won its third straight. Abreu hit his 15th homer over the wall in left-center on a 2-1 pitch from rookie Kevin Joseph (0-1). Terry Adams (5-8) allowed two hits in three innings for the win.

Expos 7, Giants 2

San Francisco Tomo Ohka gave up Barry Bonds’ 602nd homer, but he also pitched 7 2/3 strong innings and drove home the go-ahead run with a squeeze bunt. Ohka (11-6) won his third straight decision, allowing six hits and three walks as the Expos snapped San Francisco’s four-game winning streak.