PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) _ Glendon Rusch, fighting for the fifth spot in the Mets' rotation, turned in a solid outing and Robin Ventura hit a three-run homer Monday as New York's beat the Cleveland Indians 4-2.

Rusch allowed one run and five hits in 5 2-3 innings, struck out four and walked none.

``It was a step forward for me, a pretty positive outing,'' said Roush, who is battling Bill Pulsipher, Dennis Springer and Bobby M. Jones.

``I got my fastball over early in the count, which allowed me to use the breaking ball and changeup to get some batters out. In the back of my head, I knew I had to throw the ball well today to put some good thoughts in the coaching staff's mind.''

Rusch's effort impressed both general manager Steve Phillips and manager Bobby Valentine, but they said it's too early to make a decision.

``We want to take some time to decide the fifth starter, because he probably won't make a start until April 9th or 10th, Phillips said.

Turk Wendell earned his second save for the Mets, pitching 1 1-3 innings. Ventura, making only his second start in the field this spring, put New York ahead 3-0 in the fourth with a two-out homer off Charles Nagy.

Edgardo Alfonzo, who had two hits for the Mets, singled to drive in home Melvin Mora, who led off the sixth with a double.

Jolbert Cabrera and John McDonald drove in a run each for the Indians.

Notes: New York gave INF Charlie Hayes his unconditional release. Hayes hit .386 (10-for-26) with two doubles, one home run and seven RBIs for the Mets this spring. ``I think the important thing for me is to be with my family,'' Hayes said. ``I talked to Phillips and Bobby (Valentine) and they pretty much told me I wasn't going to make the team.'' ... Hayes will remain at the Mets' training camp for two days to weigh offers from other teams. ... New York center fielder Darryl Hamilton missed Monday's game because of minor knee and toe injuries.