After one of their worst losses in recent history, the Mets will hand the ball to their right-handed ace Mike Pelfrey tonight, looking for a rebound against the Padres. Pelfrey has not been Ubaldo Jimenez so far this season, but 7-1, 2.54 ERA isn’t too shabby.

The Mets really need to start winning some road games this season. Their road record of 7-17 is dreadful, and if they can’t win a couple with Pelfrey and Johan Santana on the mound, then something is up.

Last night’s 18-6 loss was one that just got away. Yes, Hisanori Takahashi was pretty bad for the first time, but after that, it all just fell apart. The bullpen got beat up and it just became a laugher for a rare time. The Mets must put this behind them and focus on winning games behind their two best pitchers over the next two days.

One part of the Mets’ game that didn’t struggle last night was the offense, which kept on hitting until things got out of hand. Jose Reyes kept up his hot hitting, recording a two-run triple, as he’s now 18 for his last 36 (.500).

Catcher Rod Barajas finally hit another home run, his 11th, and Jeff Francoeur continued to hit.

Meanwhile, Pelfrey has been brilliant his last three times out, all which have been wins, improving his record to 7-1 on the season.

His last time out on Thursday against the Phillies, he started the third game of the Mets shutout sweep. In seven innings, he allowed obviously zero runs on three hits, walked and struck out five.

Although, the same was said about Takahashi and it didn’t work out, Pelfrey shouldn’t have a problem pitching in this game. Well, maybe now he’ll be a little nervous after the eruption he saw from the Padres’ bats last night, but unlike Takahashi, Pelfrey is a young, first-round pick and shouldn’t be a fluke.

He’ll be going up against Wade LeBlanc of the Padres. In his first full season as a starter, LeBlanc has been impressive at times. He has an ERA of 3.71 with a 2-3 record, mostly because of the Padres’ lack of runs scored, discounting last night’s game.

If you want to think positively, then take note that the Padres don’t generally score 18 runs in a game. They did actually score 17 in their home opener against the Braves, but high-scoring games are an aberration for San Diego.

If the Mets don’t win this game, they will finish another road trip without a series victory. If indeed the Mets do have to wait for their next road trip for a series victory, they’ll have a good chance at getting one.

The Mets’ next road trip starts out in Baltimore and Cleveland, the two worst teams in the American League.

Mike Pelfrey vs. San Diego (career)
1-0, 4.08 ERA, 17.2 IP, 25 H, 6 BB, 7 SO

Wade LeBlanc this season (8 starts)
2-3, 3.71 ERA, 43.2 IP, 48 H, 17 BB, 31 SO

2010 season series (New York vs. San Diego)
May 31: San Diego 18, New York 6
Padres lead series 1-0

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