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NEW YORK (AP) -- Just when it seemed the Mets might never get another hit with a runner in scoring position, Mike Piazza touched off a string of three in a row.

Piazza singled off closer Mariano Rivera in the 10th inning to break a scoreless tie Saturday and the Mets beat the Yankees 3-0, ending the World Series champions' nine-game winning streak.

The Mets had been struggling with scoring opportunities, just 1-for-8 on Saturday and 5-for-73 in their last eight games, when Piazza got another chance against Yankees bullpen ace Rivera.

Desi Relaford singled with two out, the Mets' first hit since the fifth inning, and stole second. Then Edgardo Alfonzo walked, bringing up Piazza.

"Fonzi's at-bat was terrific," Mets manager Bobby Valentine said.

That was because it put the game in Piazza's hands. In the eighth, Yankees manager Joe Torre chose to walk the Mets slugger with a runner at second.

In the 10th, with Alfonzo on first, he pitched to Piazza.

"Runners on second and third, I walk him," the manager said.

On his second pitch to Piazza, Rivera seemed uncomfortable and pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre came to the mound at Yankee Stadium. The reliever has been battling an inflamed ankle that will force him to miss the All-Star game.

The Yankees stayed with Rivera (2-4), and Piazza hit the next pitch for an RBI single.

"He just hit my bat with it," Piazza said.

It was like the hit pulled a plug for the Mets.

Timo Perez, a defensive replacement, followed with another RBI single and then Todd Zeile did the same thing. In about eight minutes, the Mets hitters did as much damage as they had in eight games.

"We had good at-bats all day and going into the 10th inning, we had nothing to show for it," Valentine said.

The Mets had the first six hits of the game against Yankees starter Mike Mussina, but two runners were thrown out trying to steal. Meanwhile, Kevin Appier held the Yankees hitless for five innings and extended his personal shutout streak to 16 innings before John Franco (4-1) relieved in the ninth. Armando Benitez pitched a scoreless 10th for his 18th save.

"I had pretty good stuff," Appier said. "I thought my location was good and I did a good job of keeping them off-balance. It was definitely a white-knuckler the whole time."

Torre was impressed with the way Appier handled the Yankees.

"Appier never gave us a pitch to hit," the manager said. "He had terrific command. Mike had to fight for the same results."

Mussina admired the job Appier did.

"He really seemed to be in control right from the beginning," the Yankees pitcher said. "It got to a point in the game when I had twice as many pitches as he did. I was battling and he was cruising right along."

When the Mets finally cashed in on their scoring chances, it gave them a victory in the Subway Series.

"It gives our fans at least some pride," Piazza said.

Game notes
Mussina struck out the first three Mets batters on 11 pitches. He struck out 10 batters for the fourth time this season and 30th in his career. ... Piazza, recovering from a broken toe, said he will warm up starting pitcher Rick Reed on Sunday before a decision is made on whether he will catch the game. He was elected the starting catcher for the All-Star game, but will not make the trip to Seattle if he can not catch. ... 3B Robin Ventura sat out with a strained right shoulder and said he would not play Sunday. ... McEwing extended his hitting streak to 10 games. ... Bernie Williams walked in the seventh, reaching base safely for the 41st consecutive game. ... Mets 3B Robin Ventura sat out the game with a strained right shoulder and said he would not play Sunday. ... The Mets have allowed one run in the last 15 innings.