Kuzul

NEW YORK—The Mets were let down last night in the series opener against the Phillies by their young starter Jenrry Mejia. He’s young in age, not just baseball years.

Today, they’ll attempt to even the series by starting another younger pitcher, Mike Pelfrey. Now, Pelfrey has been around since 2006, and is 26 years old. But, he still pitches like someone of Mejia’s age.

He’s consistently inconsistent, and has still not lived up to his first-round-pick hype. Every time you think he’s about to mature and reel off eight straight wins, he regresses and gets beat up.

This season has been the biggest example of that to date. It’s been a tale of four seasons for Pelfrey so far in 2010.

He got off to an unbelievable start in April, going 4-0 with a 0.69 ERA and a save. After an average month of May, posting a 3.82 ERA, he entered his second season.

From a period in mid-June through early August, Pelfrey went 2-5 with a 7.35 ERA and gave up baserunners at a historical rate. He then entered his third phase in his final four August starts, going 3-1 with a 1.20 ERA.

Now, he’s in the middle of his fourth chapter, having put together two bad starts in September.

In his last start on Monday in D.C., Pelfrey had an early 3-0 lead. He would give it all back and then some. In only 3.2 innings pitched, he allowed six runs on five hits. The Mets would lose the Labor Day affair, 13-3, and Pelfrey suffered his ninth loss of the season.

He’s still stuck on 13 wins, which is tied for the most in his career. He will get a third attempt at a career-high 14th win today.

The Phillies will counter with Kyle Kendrick. His entire season has been up and down. He’s had a rough time of it over his last four starts, pitching to a 7.84 ERA. In each of those starts, he allowed either four or five runs.

His last start came on Sunday against the Brewers and it was bad. In four innings, he allowed five runs on seven hits, in a Phillies 9-8 loss. He did do well though in his last start against the Mets at Citi Field, and that’s probably why the Phillies are going with him today.

The Mets last night got some positive news and some horrific news that’ll bleed into 2011.

The positive news is that Jose Reyes returned to the lineup and recorded an RBI double. He looked fine, with no problems regarding his frequently injured oblique.

The horrific news is that they’ve lost their ace for the season, and more importantly, the foreseeable future. Johan Santana was diagnosed yesterday with a tear of the anterior capsule of the left shoulder, and will undergo shoulder surgery.

It was originally classified as a strained pectoral muscle around his left shoulder when he left a game early on September 2 against the Braves. It turned out to be much worse, and Santana himself doesn’t have a clue when he’ll be back.

“The most important thing is to be ready,” he said. “To be 100 percent whether it’s April, whether it’s May, July, October—who knows? Time will tell how I will recover. I’ve just got to get back to being healthy.”

The statement about perhaps not returning until next October is disturbing. If Santana can’t be with the Mets next season, their next meaningful game will be 2012.

So now, the Mets are out of playoff contention, and don’t even know where they’ll be next season. It’s frustrating times for them right now, and they’ll try to at least perform well in these final three weeks.

Mike Pelfrey vs. Philadelphia this season (3 starts)
1-2, 4.50 ERA, 18 IP, 18 hits, 6 BB, 8 SO

Kyle Kendrick vs. New York this season (2 starts)
1-1, 3.86 ERA, 11.2 IP, 11 hits, 2 BB, 7 SO

2010 season series (New York vs. Philadelphia)
April 30: New York 9, Philadelphia 1
May 1: Philadelphia 10, New York 0
May 2: Philadelphia 11, New York 5

May 25: New York 8, Philadelphia 0
May 26: New York 5, Philadelphia 0
May 27: New York 3, Philadelphia 0

August 6: Philadelphia 7, New York 5
August 7: New York 1, Philadelphia 0
August 8: Philadelphia 6, New York 5

August 13: New York 1, Philadelphia 0
August 14: Philadelphia 4, New York 0
August 15: Philadelphia 3, New York 1

Sept. 10: Philadelphia 8, New York 4
Phillies lead series 7-6

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

NEW YORK– After a road trip that finished 4-6 for the Mets, including two straight wins against the Nationals, they’ll return home tonight to open a 10-game home stand.

If the Mets had been in the playoff race, they would’ve had a major scheduling advantage. Out of the final 22 games on the season, 17 will be played at home, where the Mets have thrived.

The Mets will play 10 at home, five on the road, and finish with seven at home. The final seven-game home stand has the Mets playing the lowly Brewers and Nationals. Unfortunately for them, it doesn’t mean a thing.

Now, they could play the role of spoiler, and they’ll have a huge chance to do so on this home stand. The first-place Phillies come to town tonight, and next weekend, the second-place Braves do.

It’s a chance for the Mets to ruin someone’s hopes, although the problem is, one of those two teams will win the division.

Tonight, the Mets will get a second look at 20-year-old Jenrry Mejia as a starting pitcher.

He made his first career start on Saturday against the Cubs, and had a typical rookie outing. In five innings at Wrigley Field, Mejia allowed four runs on eight hits.

His catcher was Mike Nickeas, a minor league call-up, who caught Mejia down at Triple-A Buaffalo. It didn’t really work out, as Mejia didn’t perform, and Nickeas made some bad plays behind the plate.

It’ll be interesting to see if Josh Thole gets the start tonight instead. When Nickeas caught Mejia, it was the first time in Mets history that a catcher caught a first-time starter in his Major League debut.

Pitching for the Phillies will be Roy Halladay. That’s 17-game winner Roy Halladay, who has had a great first season with the Phillies.

In his last start against the Brewers on Saturday, Halladay allowed four runs on seven hits in seven innings. That’s not too bad–the only problem is the runs came on four solo home runs, two by Corey Hart.

Halladay has now given up 21 home runs this season, and his numbers are very similar to last season all across the board. He went 17-10 last season, and that’s his current record. In virtually every other category, he’s on pace to match up with where he was last season. His 2.36 ERA is third-best in the National League.

When he faces the Mets lineup tonight, he should be facing someone making a comeback after a lengthy period off. The Mets and manager Jerry Manuel are expecting shortstop Jose Reyes to be back in tonight’s lineup, as he’s missed 12 straight games with an oblique injury.

It’s a huge risk for two reasons. The Mets are out of the race, and Reyes has a club option on his contract for next season. If he re-injures his oblique in the final 22 games, his value would go down for next season, whether the Mets want to trade him or pick his option up and extend him.

They’d also like to see a healthy Reyes before the end of the season.

The Mets begin a three-game weekend series with the Phillies tonight, trying to get good things out of Jenrry Mejia, and play spoiler.

Jenrry Mejia this season (1 start- 9/4/10)
Loss, 5 IP, 4 ER, 8 hits, 2 BB, 2 SO

Roy Halladay vs. New York this season (3 starts)
3-0, 1.88 ERA, 24 IP, 16 hits, 2 BB, 23 SO

2010 season series (New York vs. Philadelphia)
April 30: New York 9, Philadelphia 1
May 1: Philadelphia 10, New York 0
May 2: Philadelphia 11, New York 5

May 25: New York 8, Philadelphia 0
May 26: New York 5, Philadelphia 0
May 27: New York 3, Philadelphia 0

August 6: Philadelphia 7, New York 5
August 7: New York 1, Philadelphia 0
August 8: Philadelphia 6, New York 5

August 13: New York 1, Philadelphia 0
August 14: Philadelphia 4, New York 0
August 15: Philadelphia 3, New York 1
Series tied 6-6

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Mets will try to even their series with the Washington Nationals tonight, in a game pitched by two first-timers.

Originally, Johan Santana was supposed to start tonight’s game for the Mets, but he strained a pectoral muscle in his last start on Thursday and was scratched.

Therefore, taking his spot in the rotation will be 24-year-old minor leaguer Dillon Gee. This is Gee’s fourth season in the Mets organization since they drafted him in the 21st round of the 2007 amateur draft.

He has had a solid Minor League career, going 27-18 with a 3.76 ERA pitching in all levels of the Mets farm system.

This season, he made 28 starts for Triple-A Buffalo, and was erratic. He went 13-8 with a 4.96 ERA, but set the single-season Bisons strikeout record with 165 in 161.1 innings.

He will finally get the call tonight, making his debut opposite another first-time big leaguer.

Pitching for the Nationals will be Yuneski Maya. It’s a weird call-up by Washington, considering it’s a 29-year-old pitcher with no professional experience.

Maya made five starts in the Minors this season, his first season in a Major League farm system.

He did great in two starts for Triple-A Syracuse, going 1-1 with a 0.87 ERA. Perhaps the ERA in Triple-A is why he got the promotion to make his big league debut tonight.

Nobody knows how long Dillon Gee will pitch in his first career start, but one thing is for sure: the bullpen must pitch better than yesterday.

Really, there was one culprit, and that was Ryota Igarashi. In one inning pitched, he allowed five runs, walked three, threw a wild pitch, and allowed a grand slam.

The grand slam he allowed to shortstop Danny Espinosa was the 11th bases-loaded home run the Mets have allowed this season.

They, on the other hand, have hit zero grand slams. The 11 given up are a single-season franchise record.

Center fielder Carlos Beltran did not start yesterday and he has not started two of the Mets last four games. He should be back in the lineup tonight and shortstop Jose Reyes could be back soon as well.

He is feeling better and will return once he feels fit to go from the left side of the plate. Mets manager Jerry Manuel said he could return today or tomorrow.

In order to make room on the 40-man roster for Dillon Gee, the Mets moved left fielder Jason Bay (concussion) to the 60-day disabled list. Bay could return as early as Sept. 24.

There is no telling how tonight’s game will play out with two unknowns on the mound, so sit back and watch to see which team will pull out the victory.
 

Dillon Gee this season (28 starts for Triple-A Buffalo)

13-8, 4.96 ERA, 161.1 IP, 174 hits, 41 BB, 165 SO

Yuneski Maya this season (5 starts in the Minors)

1-2, 3.38 ERA, 21.1 IP, 18 hits, 10 BB, 18 SO

2010 season series (New York vs. Washington)
 

April 9: New York 8, Washington 2
April 10: Washington 4, New York 3
April 11: Washington 5, New York 2

May 10: Washington 3, New York 2
May 11: New York 8, Washington 6
May 12: Washington 6, New York 4

May 19: Washington 5, New York 3
May 20: New York 10, Washington 7

July 1: Washington 2, New York 1
July 2: New York 5, Washington 3
July 3: Washington 6, New York 5
July 4: New York 9, Washington 5

Sept. 6: Washington 13, New York 3
Nationals lead series 8-5

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

For a long time during the bulk of the 2010 season, Mets left-handed rookie Jon Niese was as good as can be. Over his past two starts, he may have run out of steam, having now thrown 148.1 innings in his first full big league season.

The Mets themselves have not had a good road trip, having gone 1-5 so far on their 10-game trek. They’ve been an awful road team all season long, and can finally sense the end coming, with now only nine road games left.

The Cubs are not a great team, and in fact the Mets have more wins than they do. But just like in the Braves series prior to this one, they’ll try to salvage the finale.

In his four starts prior to his last two, Niese allowed exactly one run in each, but got one win to show for it. In 13 of his 25 starts this season (52 percent), he has allowed one earned run or less. That’s an outstanding number for a rookie who is not only in his first full Major League season, but coming off of a major injury, followed by a minor injury over the past year.

He has gone south though in his last two starts, pitching to an ERA of 8.71. Before these last two starts, the Mets brass were thinking of limiting Niese‘s innings for the rest of this season, but decided not to do so.

They may have made the wrong decision. If Niese struggles mightily once again today, he may have to take a break, especially with the Mets out of the playoff race.

His last start against the Braves on Tuesday melted down after a Luis Castillo error. After Castillo let a potential double play grounder roll between his legs, Niese gave up seven runs, capped off by a David Ross grand slam. In 4.2 innings, he allowed eight runs (three earned) on 10 hits, and he hit a batter before the error.

The Cubs are a predominantly right-handed hitting team, and Niese has struggled a little against righties this season.

Pitching for the Cubs will be Canadian native Ryan Dempster. The right-hander will reach the 100-mark one way or the other with his next decision. He has a career record of 99-99, and true to form, his last two seasons have been identical.

Other than some early-career success and a Cy Young-caliber season in 2008, Dempster has been an average pitcher.

Last season he went 11-9, this season he’s 12-9. The ERA is a difference of six points and he has allowed the same amount of home runs and struck out the same amount of batters over last season and this season.

His only problem this season has been control, as he’s walked 72 batters in 182 innings.

He got rocked in his last start on Tuesday to the pathetic Pirates. He only lasted three innings, while allowing seven runs on seven hits.

The Mets starting pitching, after a great stretch, has tapered off lately. It continued with the young Jenrry Mejia yesterday.

With 26 games remaining, the Mets front office would love to see the starters pitch effectively, in order to understand part of their 2011 rotation.

Niese will try to get the pitchers on a roll today, as the Mets look to head to the Nation’s Capital with a win.

Jon Niese vs. Chicago (April 19)
ND, 5.2 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 8 hits, 3 BB, 7 SO

Ryan Dempster vs. New York (career)
9-4, 5.57 ERA, 93.2 IP, 106 hits, 64 BB, 88 SO

2010 season series (New York vs. Chicago)
April 19: New York 6, Chicago 1
April 20: New York 4, Chicago 0
April 21: Chicago 9, New York 3
April 22: New York 5, Chicago 2

Sept. 3: Chicago 7, New York 6
Sept. 4: Chicago 5, New York 3
Series tied 3-3

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

CHICAGO— It’s that time of year in Major League Baseball. Teams who are no longer in the race get a good look at what their future holds. For the Mets, it’s no different.

Alive only mathematically in the NL playoff race, they will start a young pitcher for the first time in his career. 20-year-old Jenrry Mejia will get the call this afternoon, after impressing during his past three Minor League starts.

In six starts for Double-A Binghamton, Mejia went 2-0 with an outstanding ERA of 1.32. His last start was an extremely impressive one for Triple-A Buffalo. In eight innings, he allowed one run on five hits. He walked one—issued in the eighth inning—and struck out nine.

He hit close to 100 miles per hour on the gun and looked ready to be called up to replace Pat Misch in the Mets rotation. Afterall, it’s not Misch who’ll be vying for a spot in next year’s rotation, but it’s the 20-year-old flamethrower.

It’s not as if Mejia hasn’t had any big league experience. He did make the team out of spring training, and pitched in 30 games out of the bullpen early in the season. He wasn’t bad, pitching to a 3.25 ERA, but his walks were an issue. He walked 15 batters in 27.2 innings, coming out to one every 1.8 innings pitched.

While in Binghamton, he virtually pitched to the same walks per innings pitched ratio (27.1 IP, 14 walks). His last start in Triple-A was the biggest sign of his young career that perhaps he’s gaining more control of the strike zone.

Mejia will most likely make his final five starts of the season for the Mets, unless he’s absolutely terrible. When he makes the start tomorrow, he’ll become the youngest Met pitcher to start a game since Dwight Gooden.

Opposing Mejia for the Cubs will be the hot-headed Carlos Zambrano. He was suspended by the Cubs without pay for a while earlier in the season for a dugout tirade.

After six stellar seasons in Chicago, Zambrano’s career has gone south. From 2003-2008, he went 91-51, and looked like a Hall of Fame-type ace. Emotional problems have gotten the best of him over the past couple of seasons to slow him down, although he still is only 29-years-old.

The Cubs brought him back on July 31 and inserted him into the bullpen to make three relief outings. Since reclaiming his starters role, he has been dominant. Over his last five starts, he’s gone 3-0 with an ERA of only 1.84.

His last start came against the Pirates on Monday, a game the Cubs won, 14-2. He earned his third straight win, pitching 5.1 innings. He allowed an unearned run on four hits, and struck out seven.

The Mets offense came to life yesterday, scoring six or more runs for the first time in 10 games. Their luck is, of course, that it was in a loss.

But, they did have many positive signs, especially from the bat of David Wright. He went 3-for-5 with a home run and three runs batted in, falling a triple shy of the cycle. He’s two home runs and 10 RBI away from his fifth 25-home run, 100-RBI season.

Angel Pagan in his first start back from a wrist injury, recorded three hits as well, and rookie Lucas Duda got his first Major League hit on an RBI double. All in all, the offense was not a problem on a day R.A. Dickey just couldn’t beat the Wrigley Field wind.

They’ll hope to see positive things from their rookie pitcher today, looking to even the series with the Cubs.

Jenrry Mejia this season (30 games in relief)
0-2, 3.25 ERA, 27.2 IP, 29 hits, 15 BB, 17 SO

Carlos Zambrano vs. New York (April 20)
Loss, 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 hits, 3 BB, 9 SO

2010 season series (New York vs. Chicago)
April 19: New York 6, Chicago 1
April 20: New York 4, Chicago 0
April 21: Chicago 9, New York 3
April 22: New York 5, Chicago 2

Sept. 3: Chicago 7, New York 6
Mets lead series 3-2

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

NEW YORK– R.A. Dickey came out of nowhere to impress this season when the Mets called him up, and he seems to just get better.

He didn’t have his best knuckleball today, but it was good enough to breeze by the Astros for seven-plus innings.

Not only did he pitch well, he contributed with the bat in a way his team hasn’t all season. The Mets scored four runs in the second inning against Bud Norris, and Dickey put the Mets on the board first.

The Mets entering today’s game were hitting .190 as a team with the bases loaded. After shortstop Luis Hernandez struck out, Dickey singled through the middle of the infield to bring two runs in. Astros second baseman Geoff Blum didn’t seem to give it any effort, letting the ball roll into the outfield.

The Mets would score two more runs in the inning, taking a 4-0 lead.

The Astros got a run back in the third. Catcher Jason Castro lead off with a double and scored on an infield hit by Michael Bourn.

Dickey struggled a little in the third and fourth innings, but didn’t allow another run. The Astros loaded the bases in the fourth, but the pitcher Norris grounded out to end the inning. That was the Astros final legitimate threat against the knuckler.

The Mets had an opportunity to score in their fourth, but once again failed to get the big hit. With second and third and two outs, Luis Castillo grounded back to the pitcher.

The Mets added a run in the sixth on catcher Josh Thole’s second career home run. It was a lazer shot off the facing of the Pepsi Porch in right field, making it 5-1 Mets.

Thole had a good game, benefiting from consecutive days off. He went 2-for-3 with a walk, an RBI, and two runs scored.

After throwing a good game against the Mets in Houston 10 days ago, Norris struggled today. In 5.2 innings, he allowed five runs on eight hits.

Dickey took the mound for the eighth with 106 pitches, and was pulled after allowing a leadoff hit to Tommy Manzella. He went seven-plus innings, allowing one run on six hits.

He lowed his ERA to 2.57 on the season, seventh best in the National League. He’ll qualify for another three games, before dropping out of the leaderboard.

He would win his ninth game, as the Mets defeated the Astros, 5-1. The Mets win the series and split the home stand, getting back to .500 at 65-65.

They’ll begin a 10-game road trip in Atlanta tomorrow night with Pat Misch facing Jair Jurrjens.

NL East standings
Atlanta 75-55
*Philadelphia 73-57 (2)
Florida 65-64 (9 1/2)
NY Mets 65-65 (10)
*Lead NL Wild Card; Mets 8 behind

Next series probable pitchers:
August 30
New York: Pat Misch (2010: 0-3, 3.50 ERA) vs. Atlanta: Jair Jurrjens (2010: 5-4, 4.36 ERA)
August 31
New York: Jon Niese (2010: 8-6, 3.63 ERA) vs. Atlanta: Mike Minor (2010: 2-0, 4.00 ERA)
September 1
New York: Mike Pelfrey (2010: 13-7, 3.61 ERA) vs. Atlanta: Tommy Hanson (2010: 8-10, 3.76 ERA)
September 2
New York: Johan Santana (2010: 10-9, 3.02 ERA) vs. Atlanta: Tim Hudson (2010: 15-5, 2.24 ERA)

Upcoming schedule:
New York Mets:
August 30-Sept. 2 @ Atlanta Braves
Sept. 3-5 @ Chicago Cubs

Atlanta Braves:
August 30-Sept. 2 vs. New York Mets
Sept. 3-5 @ Florida Marlins

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

NEW YORK– So far in the month of August, the Mets have been a classic .500 ballclub. They haven’t gone on a winning streak or losing streak, but they have been just at or around .500.

Every day this month, the Mets have either been a game over, a game under, or exactly even. Entering today, they’re one under at 64-65.

The last time the Mets spent an entire month at no better than one over and no worse than one under was April 1970. Meaning it’s been over 40 years since the Mets have had a month this average.

It’s the reason why they haven’t been able to keep up in the playoff race after being as far as 11 over before the All-Star break. With last night’s Phillies win, the Mets are now eight games out with 33 to play, quickly fading in 2010.

They will try to at least split the current home stand today, with R.A. Dickey pitching. The last two starts for the knuckler Dickey have ended in crushing fashion.

On August 18 in Houston, he was two outs away from a complete game victory, before allowing a game-tying home run to Geoff Blum. The Mets went on to win, 3-2, in 14 innings.

In his last start on Tuesday, Dickey gave up a go-ahead three-run home run to Gaby Sanchez in the seventh, before the Mets won in walk-off fashion, 6-5.

In total, it wasn’t a great start for Dickey. In seven innings, he allowed five runs on 10 hits. He did strikeout eight without allowing a walk.

He’s stuck on eight wins, but his 2.64 ERA is now seventh in the National League as he’s pitched enough innings for qualification.

Going for the Astros will be Bud Norris. He faced the Mets and beat them in Houston 10 days ago. It was a masterful performance, as he allowed two runs on only two hits.

The Astros have actually won his last six starts, in which he’s gone 4-0. Up until those starts, he was 2-7 with a 6.08 ERA. During this recent stretch, he’s 4-0 with an ERA of 3.03.

The Mets recorded nine hits in last night’s loss, once again failing to supporting Johan Santana. 

The Mets have not scored double-digit runs in a game since June 22, when they scored 14 against the Tigers. There is no reason to believe they will get to that plateau for any of the remaining games this season.

They certainly won’t without the bat of Jose Reyes. The shortstop took infield practice before last night’s game, and could return soon.

His replacement, Ruben Tejada, got another hit last night, and now has a two-game hitting streak.

After today’s game, the Mets will embark on a 10-game road trip. It’ll be tough starting with four in Atlanta, so they’ll hope to finish strong today and win the series.

R.A. Dickey vs. Houston (August 18)
ND, 8.1 IP, 2 ER, 9 hits, 1 BB, 6 SO

Bud Norris vs. New York (August 19)
Win, 7 IP, 2 ER, 2 hits, 2 BB, 4 SO

2010 season series (New York vs. Houston)
August 16: New York 3, Houston 1
August 17: Houston 4, New York 3
August 18: New York 3, Houston 2 (14)
August 19: Houston 3, New York 2

August 27: New York 2, Houston 1
August 28: Houston 4, New York 1
Series tied 3-3

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

NEW YORK– The Mets won their opening game against the Astros last night, but got out-hit nine to three. Once again, they couldn’t produce any offense against a mediocre starting pitcher.

Normally, when Johan Santana takes the hill, the Mets offense doesn’t do any better. They’ll try to finally support him tonight, as the Mets face Brett Myers in the middle game of the weekend series.

The last two games, prior to last night, the Mets scored four runs and lost due to a bad pitching performance. Last night, Mike Pelfrey was outstanding, but they didn’t hit anything. It’s been one or the other all season for the Mets, as they’ve never clicked on all cylinders at once.

Johan Santana has made 27 starts this season, nine being no-decisions. In those nine starts, his ERA is 2.10. It’s hard for a pitcher to be 0-0 through any nine-game stretch with an ERA that low, but that shows how little the Mets have done to help him out.

His last start is another example and it was a loss. On Sunday, with the Mets trying to sweep the Pirates, Santana pitched phenomenally.

In eight innings, he allowed two runs on four hits and struck out nine batters. The two runs came on two solo home runs by Lastings Milledge and Jose Tabata. Once again though, Santana pitches to his no-decision ERA of two and doesn’t get a win.

It has become very frustrating for him although he won’t publicly admit it or show it. The Mets should be frustrated as well with their missed opportunities.

They gained some ground in the Wild Card standings last night to cut within seven games, but they could’ve been a whole lot closer.

Three of their last five games have been devastating concerning playoff standing. Besides the loss to the Pirates with their ace on the mound on Sunday, they lost consecutive tough games to the Marlins before last night’s win.

One game, they came within a hit of completing a comeback, and the other game they blew a 4-0 lead. You add those three games and the Mets are only four games behind instead of seven.

Starting tonight, the Mets have to win virtually all of Santana’s remaining starts in 2010. They’ll try their luck against a man that hasn’t pitched less than six innings in a start all season, Brett Myers.

The Mets faced him 10 days ago in Houston, and he received a no-decision in a game the Mets won, 3-2. He pitched well in seven innings of work, allowing two runs.

He pitched seven innings in his last start against his former Phillies club, making it 26-for-26 for six or more innings pitched this season. He won that game, allowing two runs and striking out nine.

Ruben Tejada started at shortstop for the injured Jose Reyes last night, and actually got a hit. It was a single over the infield, giving him his second hit in his last 45 at-bats. He amazingly drew a bases loaded walk against Nelson Figueroa before the hit to get him started.

Reyes is still day-to-day and could play when the Mets get to Atlanta, but that’s still up in the air.

The Mets demoted outfielder Jesus Feliciano, who is this era’s Heath Bell concerning minor league trips, and promoted infielder Luis Hernandez to back up Tejada at shortstop.

The Mets will try to avoid placing Reyes on the disabled list, as they can call up as many as 15 additional players on Wednesday when the rosters expand to 40.

They’ll try to support Santana tonight sans Reyes, looking to win the series from the Astros.

Johan Santana vs. Houston (August 17)
Loss, 8 IP, 4 ER, 9 hits, 1 BB, 7 SO, 2 HR

Brett Myers vs. New York (August 18)
ND, 7 IP, 2 ER, 7 hits, 3 BB, 4 SO

2010 season series (New York vs. Houston)
August 16: New York 3, Houston 1
August 17: Houston 4, New York 3
August 18: New York 3, Houston 2 (14)
August 19: Houston 3, New York 2
August 27: New York 2, Houston 1
Mets lead series 3-2

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

NEW YORK: The Mets have let two straight opportunities get by, losing a series to the Marlins after winning the first game.

Each of the last two days, the Phillies lost and the Mets lost games they could have and should have won easily.

Ironically, the team that tried to help them out are the Houston Astros, whom the Mets begin a series with tonight.

The Astros have had a very bad season, and a dreadful first half. They got off to an 0-8 start and were 17 games under .500 at the All-Star break.

They started hitting a little better in the second half, and their pitching has been good. So far this week, they pulled something off that is mind-boggling.

The Astros went into Philadelphia and swept a four-game series from the “Phightin’ Phils.”

How is that even possible? How can a team as bad as Houston sweep a series (four games yet) on the road against a two-time defending pennant winner?

They beat the Marlins in Florida on Sunday, so they have won five straight games, and are playing a major spoiler role as we near September.

Not that the Mets are a team good enough to get spoiled, but if they have any hopes of getting into the race, Houston could be a pain in the neck.

Trying to cool the Astros off will be Mike Pelfrey. He’s turned his season around after an awful stretch, allowing three runs or less while pitching at least seven innings, in each of his last three starts.

During that span, he’s 2-1 with a 1.64 ERA, improving to 12-7 on the season.

Pelfrey’s next win will tie him for most wins in a season in his career. He won 13 games in 2008 against 11 losses.

His last start came in Pittsburgh a week ago tonight, so he’s pitching on six days’ rest. In that start, he allowed one earned run in eight innings, in a Mets 7-2 win over the Pirates.

That got the Mets off on the right foot against a bad team, and he’ll try to do the same tonight.

Pitching for the Astros will be Nelson Figueroa, returning to start a game in Queens. The former Met started against the Mets in Houston 10 days ago and pitched okay.

His last start was a great one against the Marlins to begin the Astros’ current five-game winning streak.

On Sunday he went six innings, allowing one run on four hits, walking one and striking out seven. The one run was on a home run by Gaby Sanchez with two outs in the sixth.

It’ll be interesting to hear the crowd reaction to Figueroa. He did pitch at Citi Field this season as a reliever on the Phillies, but this will be his first start against the Mets since his unkind parting words.

If the Mets are going to put together a good offensive output, in all likelihood it’ll be without Jose Reyes. The All-Star shortstop re-aggravated his right oblique in last night’s game on a hit.

Batting from the left side, he awkwardly reached out over the plate to poke a ball to left field. Once he got to first base, manager Jerry Manuel and trainer Ray Ramirez came out to check him out. Reyes wanted to try to test run, but that idea was denied.

He was listed as day-to-day, although with Reyes, day-to-days could be week-to-weeks or even month-to-months. Heck last season, “day-to-day” turned out to be “out for the season,” so who knows?

The Mets offense though, has started to come around. They have scored four runs or more in five of their last six games. Before that, they couldn’t muster four hits let alone four runs.

They’re being helped out lately by David Wright, who is in another one of his hot streaks. He has two home runs in his last two games, giving him 21 on the season.

One guy who’s not hot, and has apparently forgotten how to record a hit, is Ruben Tejada. With last night’s 0-for-2, he’s now 1 for his last 43.

Tejada wasn’t even supposed to play in last night’s game, but he replaced the injured Reyes at shortstop. He’ll have to start every game now that Reyes can’t play for the time being.

The Mets will begin their final home series of August, trying to put the Astros back in their place and get ready for their long road trip feeling good.

Mike Pelfrey vs. Houston (career)
2-2, 4.38 ERA, 24.2 IP, 29 hits, 5 BB, 17 SO

Nelson Figueroa vs. New York (August 17)
ND, 5 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 hits, 3 BB, 4 SO

2010 season series (New York vs. Houston)

Aug. 16: New York 3, Houston 1
Aug. 17: Houston 4, New York 3
Aug. 18: New York 3, Houston 2 (14)
Aug. 19: Houston 3, New York 2

Series tied 2-2

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

NEW YORK– Once again the Mets had an opportunity to gain ground in the playoff race, and once again they lost a winnable game at home to the Marlins.

The Mets had one of the best rookie pitchers in baseball on the mound tonight, and the Mets were cruising both offensively and on the mound through the first three innings. 

After the first three innings of the game, the Mets had four runs and seven hits, and the Marlins had no hits.

For the second straight night, David Wright provided some offense. He hit a two-run home run in the first inning, his 21st of the season, giving the Mets a 2-0 lead.

Not only had Jon Niese not given up a hit through the first three innings, he struck out six to boot. He was looking like the phenomenal rookie he has been all season, overmatching hitters with his cutter.

The Mets though, although they were winning, lost the engine to their offense in the second. Jose Reyes singled, reaching out over the plate from the left side, and was pulled after a talk with manager Jerry Manuel and trainer Ray Ramirez.

He reaggravated his right obligue which kept him out in early July. He has been listed as day-to-day for the time being; Ruben Tejada ran for him and stayed in to play shortstop.

Angel Pagan followed with a double, scoring Luis Castillo who lead off with a walk, making it 3-0.

The Mets added another run in the third, but should’ve had much more. After two walks to start the inning, Jeff Francoeur singled in a run, extending the lead to 4-0.

With the bases loaded and two outs, Tejada seemed to have beat out an infield hit, but first base umpire Bill Miller called him out, costing the Mets a run. Tejada would go 0-for-2 with a walk, as he’s now one for his last 43.

After the four-run outburst against Marlins starter Anibal Sanchez, they never scored again.

In the fourth, Niese allowed a leadoff double, the Marlins first hit. The next batter, Hanley Ramirez, hit a scorching line drive of a home run over the left field fence, cutting the deficit to 4-2.

The Mets had chances in literally every inning of the game. They had at least one baserunner in each inning, and drew seven leadoff walks. In the fourth, Carlos Beltran hit into a double play to erase one of those walks, as the Mets failed to score their last five leadoff walks.

Although Niese walked a batter to start the fifth, he kept the game 4-2. In the Mets fifth, baserunning was what killed a potential rally. Francoeur lead off with a walk, but was thrown out at third base on a Josh Thole single to left.

The entire game came crashing down in the sixth. The Marlins sent 11 batters to the plate and scored seven runs. Niese hit the leadoff batter Logan Morrison, who reached base all five times in the game.

A Wes Helms sacrifice fly to deep right-center field tied the game at 4-4, although if it wasn’t for a Francoeur hustle catch, it could’ve been much worse. On the next play, Francoeur let a ball down the right field line bounce in fair territory for a ground-rule double off the bat of Brett Hayes, giving the Marlins a 5-4 lead.

Niese was pulled after that, giving up seven runs on five hits. He walked three, hit a batter, and tied a career-high in strikeouts with eight. The Marlins would add four more runs in the inning, to take a 9-4 lead.

Although the Mets kept drawing leadoff walks, they never drove one home, going on to lose the game, 11-4.

A night after falling one short of completing a four-run comeback, the Mets lose a game they once led by four runs. For the second straight day, the Mets fail to gain on the Phillies.

Now, the Mets will have to move forward to begin a weekend series with the Astros, not knowing when they’ll have their shortstop back.

They fall a game below .500 at 63-64 and will open up their series tomorrow night. Mike Pelfrey will be opposed by Nelson Figueroa.

NL East standings
Atlanta 73-54
Philadelphia 70-57 (3)
Florida 64-62 (8 1/2)
NY Mets 63-64 (10)

NL Wild Card (Leader and Mets)
San Francisco 71-57
—————————
NY Mets 63-64 (7 1/2)

Next series probable pitchers:
August 27
New York: Mike Pelfrey (2010: 12-7, 3.80 ERA) vs. Houston: Nelson Figueroa (2010: 1-0, 2.42 ERA)
August 28
New York: Johan Santana (2010: 10-8, 2.94 ERA) vs. Houston: Brett Myers (2010: 9-7, 3.08 ERA)
August 29
New York: R.A. Dickey (2010: 8-5, 2.64 ERA) vs. Houston: Bud Norris (2010: 6-7, 5.03 ERA)

Upcoming schedule:
New York Mets:
August 27-29 vs. Houston Astros
August 30-Sept. 2 @ Atlanta Braves

Houston Astros:
August 27-29 @ New York Mets
August 30-Sept. 1 vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com