PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- David Cone held Los Angeles to one hit over five scoreless innings in the Dodgers' 3-2 win over the New York Mets on Tuesday night.

Cone threw 71 pitches and became more economical as he moved through the game. He threw 25 pitches in the first inning and finished the night by retiring his final 11 batters.

Cone has been competing with Jason Middlebrook, who gave up three runs in four innings, and Mike Bacsik for a spot in the Mets' rotation.

Bacsik has 6.36 ERA this spring and Middlebrook began the game with a 7.04 ERA.

The 40-year-old Cone reported to the Mets camp after sitting out the 2002 season following a year with the Boston Red Sox.

"This feels better than the way I tried it last year by just fading away,'' Cone said. "It's been a great spring, it really has, especially after missing a year.''

Cone will sit down with the Mets on Saturday to determine his future.

"When I signed, we both agreed that the 29th of March would be the date that we decided whether this worked or not,'' Cone said. "So far, so good.''

Cone said he is open to going to the bullpen or working out in extended spring training for the Mets.

"They still have to say yes,'' Cone said. "I'm only half the equation.''

Cone left the game with a 2-0 lead and was replaced by Middlebrook. The Dodgers scored twice in the eighth, once on a wild pitch, and Ron Coomer hit an RBI single in the ninth.

The Mets scored their two runs off Los Angeles starter Andy Ashby, who pitched 4 2/3 innings and allowed six hits while striking out three and walking one.

Cone, Roberto Alomar and Cliff Floyd singled to load the bases in the third and Mike Piazza hit a two-run single.