SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- After a raucous six-run eighth inning that capped the Giants' four-game sweep, only one thing seemed clear -- the Mets were eager to leave town following a frustrating series that included two bench-clearing scuffles.

Bill Mueller hit a bases-loaded triple and Jeff Kent added a two-run home run in the decisive eighth inning as San Francisco won 7-2 Thursday to spoil Mike Piazza's return to the New York lineup.

	Mets and Giants players and coaches got together to discuss a difference of opinion in the eighth inning Thursday.

Neither team seemed to be clear on what prompted the latest bench-clearing incident. No punches were thrown, but both teams left the series with bitter feelings.

San Francisco finished off its first four-game sweep of the Mets since 1962, outscoring New York 32-11 in the series. The Giants, who have won 10 of 12, have won four straight at their new Pacific Bell Park after starting 1-7 there.

After pinch-hitter Felipe Crespo singled off Mets starter Rick Reed (3-1) to tie it at 2 in the eighth, Dennis Cook relieved and was called for a balk before throwing a pitch. On his second pitch, he hit Marvin Benard to load the bases.

Cook said he didn't say anything to Benard. And Benard said he didn't say a word to Cook. But they stared at each other for several seconds, and the dugouts emptied.

"I consider myself a man," Benard said later. "He threw a sinker inside, he hit me in the ribs. It hurt and I was kind of upset. I know he wasn't throwing at me, but I've got a right to stare at anybody. I just started laughing at him."

Cook and several teammates said they could not understand how Benard could take offense at getting hit. In addition to loading the bases, the play made it much more likely that Barry Bonds would get up in the inning.

"I just thought it was silly on his part to get mad there. That's a guy who doesn't know how to play the game," Cook said. "Why would I want to hit him on a 0-1 count and load the bases and have to face Barry Bonds?

"It seems like it's getting to the point that every time you pitch someone in, it's like you're testing their manhood."

There was some pushing and shoving between the teams. Cook and Benard then exchanged words as Cook passed first base after getting taken out of the game before throwing another pitch.

Mueller tripled off Armando Benitez to clear the bases. After Bonds popped out, Kent hit his eighth homer of the season.

Reed overwhelmed the Giants in the first seven innings, allowing one run and three hits, but walked Armando Rios and allowed a single by Rich Aurilia to set up the eighth-inning fireworks.

Felix Rodriguez (2-0) pitched one inning for his second victory in less than 24 hours. The Giants won 8-5 Wednesday on a three-run homer by Kent in the 11th.

On Monday, the benches cleared when San Francisco's J.T. Snow barreled into Mets catcher Todd Pratt. On Wednesday, Benard appeared to go out of his way to try to hit Pratt while scoring standing up on a first-inning play, and had to go back to touch home plate.

"Why's he taking issue? Yesterday he tried to run me over, he missed home plate by five feet," Pratt said.

Piazza celebrated his return with a two-run homer and two other hits. Piazza, who had missed five straight starts because of a bruised right wrist and a hyperextended right elbow, hit his sixth homer and added a double and single -- and also stole a base.

"I swung the bat pretty well today," Piazza said. "It's still a little sore, but when I don't swing too hard it doesn't hurt. When I take a bad swing, it hurts."

The Giants' first run came on an RBI double by Benard.

San Francisco starter Kirk Rueter, who has beaten every NL team except the Mets, allowed two runs on three hits in seven innings.

"It is frustrating when you come in and lose four in a row," Reed said. "It's going to be a long flight to Florida, but hopefully we can get back on track."

Game notes
The Giants claim it was their first four-game sweep of the Mets, but the New York media guide says the Giants swept the Mets in a four-game series at the Polo Grounds on June 1-3, 1962. ... Reed has worked at least seven innings in each of his six starts this season. ... Mets LF Rickey Henderson, who ranks third on the career walks list, walked three times in four plate appearances against Rueter. ... The Mets fell to 5-1 in games Reed has started this season. ... Piazza had his 13th double of the season. He began the day tied with Colorado's Jeff Cirillo for the league lead.