"Jason Bay officially has his signature moment in a Mets uniform.

After 1½ years of mostly torment in Flushing, the $66 million left fielder stepped to the plate in the 10th inning yesterday and helped prevent the Mets from suffering a gut-wrenching sweep to their hated crosstown rival.

"I'm not trying to make it monumental or anything, but just the way I've struggled, to come through in an unbelievable game, it definitely means a lot," Bay said after his RBI single off Hector Noesi gave the Mets a 3-2 victory over the Yankees at Citi Field.

The Mets (42-42) can send a thank-you note to Yankees shortstop Ramiro Pena, playing in place of injured Derek Jeter and Eduardo Nunez. Pena booted Daniel Murphy's grounder, bringing Bay to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs in the 10th after the Mets had tied the game against Mariano Rivera an inning earlier.

Even with Jose Reyes sidelined by a Grade 1 (least severe) hamstring strain -- the all-world shortstop will be evaluated on a daily basis and isn't headed to the disabled list, at least for now -- the Mets stole a victory and managed to end the Yankees' seven-game winning streak.

"I'm running out of things to say about these guys," Mets manager Terry Collins said, referring to his team. "They just play. They just come to play until the game is over. They take blows and bounce back."

Yesterday's blow was R.A. Dickey's departure after five innings because of tightness in his left glute. The veteran knuckleballer said he felt something throwing a pitch in the fourth inning. The Mets are unsure about Dickey's status for his next scheduled start."