On the Mets beat

Good evening everyone. Marc here with you as the Mets conclude a four-game series with the Houston Astros. Mike Pelfrey (12-8, 3.86 ERA) will be going tonight. In his last start he tossed a three-hitter for his first career complete game in a 6-3 win over the Braves on Wednesday. With John Maine placed on the disabled list today and the bullpen struggling as of late, the Mets (72-59) could really use another big outing from Pelfrey. And there’s no reason to think Pelfrey can’t give the Mets another solid start -- he is 10-2 since May 31. Brian Moehler (9-4, 3.87 ERA), who has won four road starts in a row, will be on the mound for the Astros (66-64).

Top 1st: 1-2-3 inning for Pelfrey, who got Darin Erstad to line out while inducing ground outs from former Met Ty Wigginton and Miguel Tejada.

Bottom 1st: Carlos Delgado belted a three-run homer to give the Mets an early lead. Jose Reyes singled and later stole second. Following Luis Castillo’s strike out, David Wright walked before Delgado stepped up to the plate. After the three-run bomb, Carlos Beltran struck out and Ryan Church grounded out. Mets 3, Astros 0.

Top 2nd: Quick inning for Pelfrey. Following a single by Lance Berkman, Geoff Blum hit into a double play and Hunter Pence grounded out.

Bottom 2nd: The Mets went down in order. Daniel Murphy struck out, Brian Schneider flied out and Pelfrey grounded out.

Top 3rd: Pelfrey retired the side in order as Michael Bourn grounded out, Humberto Quintero lined out to Castillo (who made a nice diving catch) and Brian Moehler struck out.

Bottom 3rd: Not much for the Mets this inning other than a single by Wright.

Top 4th: So far, Big Pelf has looked great! He allowed a cheap single to Erstad before getting Wigginton to hit into a DP and striking out Tejada.

Bottom 4th: Mets went down in order.

Top 5th: Big Pelf worked around a double by Blum, who was stranded at third.

Bottom 5th: Reyes smacked a two-out double and Castillo walked, but Wright, who has 99 RBIs, grounded into a fielder’s choice.

Top 6th: Another 1-2-3 inning for Pelf.

Bottom 6th: Mets added another run. Following back-to-back singles by Beltran and Church, Wesley Wright came on for Moehler and issued a sacrifice fly to Murphy. Mets 4, Astros 0.

Top 7th: Other than throwing 11 pitches to Wigginton, Pelf had an easy 1-2-3 inning.

Bottom 7th: Delgado crushed his second three-run homer to put this one out of reach. After Reyes drew a walk, Wright was intentionally walked two batters later before Delgado came up. Mets 7, Astros 0.

Top 8th: Pelf worked around a leadoff single by Blum to keep the Astros off the board.

Bottom 8th: The Mets have built a huge lead. This time the big blow came from a two-run triple by Reyes. Only thing left to see: Will Pelfrey pitch his first career shutout? Mets 9, Astros 0.

Top 9th: For the first time in 13 years a Mets pitcher has earned back-to-back complete-game victories. Pelfrey was outstanding, yet again. He did, however, allow a run. Pinch hitter and former Met David Newhan hit a ground rule double, moved to third on a single by Erstad and scored on Wigginton’s ground out. Final: Mets 9, Astros 1.