On the Mets beat

Mike Gavin here for another night of Mets baseball.

No matter how well the Mets play or how large their lead in the NL East becomes, the seed of doubt that was planted after last season's historic collapse will continue to haunt the team. The Mets can begin to dispel that doubt tonight by doing what they failed to do last September, beat the Philadelphia Phillies.

Mike Pelfrey takes the mound for the Mets, as he makes the biggest start of his young career. He opposes Brett Myers, who has won six of his last seven starts.

The Mets look to take a big step towards assuring a playoff berth for 2008 and erasing the images of 2007. First pitch is just minutes away.....

Top of the 1st: Shane Victorino singles and advances to third after Brian Schneider throws the ball into center on a stolen base attempt. Chase Utley sacrifices him home. Not exactly the start the Mets were hoping for. Phillies 1, Mets 0.

Bottom of the 1st: A double by David Murphy and a walk to David Wright are negated by a Carlos Delgado double-play. After one, we are witnessing shades of the September 2007 New York Mets.

Top of the 2nd: Good inning for Pelfrey. Strikes out the first two batters. It will be interesting to see how Pelfrey performs in a game of this magnitude.

Bottom of the 2nd: The Mets strand runners at first and second for the second consecutive inning. Myers strikes out the side but his pitch count is already over 40. The Phillies' bullpen may have to earn their paychecks tonight.

Top of the 3rd: 1-2-3 inning for Pelfrey.

Bottom of the 3rd: Reyes had an easy double down the line but was robbed by Ryan Howard at first. Murphy and Wright go down on strikes. Five strikeouts through three innings for Myers.

Top of the 4th: Pelfrey looks good. He is consistently getting ahead in the count and seem to have good command tonight. If only the Mets can reward him with a timely hit with a runner in scoring position.

Bottom of the 4th: Myers continues his quest for the most strikeouts in a single game as he strikes out Carlos Beltran and Ryan Church, giving him seven through four innings. Someone better alert Roger Clemens.

Top of the 5th: Pelfrey makes quick work of the Phillies once again. On a side note, the amount of empty seats in the stadium tonight is astonishing. Was it the threat of the hurricanes that scared the fans away or the frightening memories of last September? With the Mets coming off a sweep of Milwaukee and the playoff implications of this game, it should be a sell-out.

Bottom of the 5th: Nice glove work by Howard takes a base hit away from Schneider. Mets go down in order. These guys are playing as if they have somewhere to go. Five innings in an hour and fifteen minutes.

Top of the 6th: Jimmy Rollins leads off with a single but has a short stay at first after getting picked off. Pelfrey continues to roll. Top of the order coming up for the Mets. Time to put some runs on the board before Met fans start making appointments with their therapists.

Bottom of the 6th: Murphy missed a game-tying home run by mere feet but wound up with a double. Wright and Delgado both hit shallow fly balls and failed to bring him home. The Mets offense has looked uglier than John McCain's smile.

Top of the 7th: Pelfrey was one strike away from ending the inning, but he left a pitch high and inside that Greg Dobbs put over the right field fence, just eluding the glove of Ryan Church. With the way the Mets are swinging tonight, a three-run lead seems insurmountable. Phillies 3, Mets 0.

Bottom of the 7th: Myers continues to shut the Mets down. He is approaching 110 pitches and is most likely done for the night. The Mets are showing no patience or discipline at the plate. They are swinging at bad pitches, evident by their three hits, and nine strikeouts.

Top of the 8th: Brian Stokes relieves Pelfrey and puts the Phillies down 1-2-3.

Bottom of the 8th: Despite his pitch count, Myers remained in the game and continued to dominate. Reyes looked horrible in his at-bat, lunging for pitches out of the strike zone. Unless Myers goes for the complete game, the Mets will have to figure out a way to get to closer Brad Lidge, who hasn't blown a save all season.

Top of the 9th: Phillies go down in order. Last chance for the Mets. This has the potential to be a sleepless night for Met fans.

Bottom of the 9th: The Mets made it interesting, as Wright hit a double and Delgado singled, but Beltran and Church both flied out to end the game. The division lead drops to two games, and, at least for tonight, the Phillies will haunt the once pleasant September dreams of Met fans. Final Score: Phillies 3, Mets 0.

Good afternoon Mets fans. Welcome to another game on the Mets blog. Today is a critical matchup as the Mets look to sweep the Brewers.

Mets (78-61) vs. Brewers (80-58); First pitch is scheduled for 2:05.

Starters: Oliver Perez (9-7, 4.60 ERA) will start for the Mets while Dave Bush (9-9, 4.12) will take the mound for the Brewers.

Last starts: Oliver Perez didn't have his best stuff in his last start, but he survived, giving up just three hits and two runs (one earned) in the Mets 5-4 win over the Marlins on August 29. Perez, who didn't get a decision, walked five batters. Althoug Perez has had a strong second half, the walks are beginning to pile up. He's walked three or more batters in seven of his last 10 starts.

Bush, 4-0 in his last five starts, is on a roll. In his last start he gave up just one run in 6 2/3 innings during a 3-1 win over Pittsburgh. He's given up just eight runs over his last 34 innings pitched.

Mets notes: The Mets bullpen has been excellent, striking out 15 batters in its last 13 innings, 13 scoreless innings that is. Another source of hope for the Mets has been the play of Carlos Beltran. Beltran is 14-for-35 with five home runs and 13 RBIs in his last nine games.

Top 1st: Jose Reyes popped out to second. Daniel Murphy lined a single up the middle. David Wright singled to centerfield, Murphy moved to third. Delgado singled down the rightfield line, scoring Murphy to give the Mets a 1-0 lead. Wright moved to third. Carlos Beltran walked, loading the bases. Ryan Church hit a grand slam to rightfield to give the Mets a 5-0 lead. Luis Castillo grounded out to shortstop for the second out. Brian Schneider hit a solo home run to right to give the Mets a 6-0 lead. The Mets have scored 123 first-inning runs. They lead MLB in that statistic. Oliver Perez flied out to short centerfield.
Mets 6, Brewers 0

Bottom 1st: Ricky Weeks walked. J.J Hardy singled to leftfield. Weeks moved to second. Gabe Kapler flied out to rightfield. Ryan Braun flied out to right. Weeks moved to third. Corey Hart popped out to second for the final out.
Mets 6, Brewers 0

Top 2nd: Jose Reyes tripled to left centerfield. It was Reyes' 18th triple this year, a career high. Murphy popped out to shortstop. Wright fouled out to first base. Delgado struck out for the final out.
Mets 6, Brewers 0

Bottom 2nd: Mike Rivera flied out to right. Bill Hall struck out looking. Jason Kendall flied out to centerfield for the final out.
Mets 6, Brewers 0

Top 3rd: Beltran singled. Church grounded into a 5-6-3 double play, on a great play by Bill Hall, who robbed Church of a hit. Castillo grounded out to second to end the inning.
Mets 6, Brewers 0

Bottom 3rd: David Bush lined out to first. Weeks walked. Hardy walked. Weeks moved to second. Kapler struck out. Braun struck out swinging.
Mets 6, Brewers 0

Top 4th: Schneider grounded out to second base. Perez struck out. Jose Reyes walked. Reyes stole second base, the 281st of his career, tying Mookie Wilson as the Mets career leader. Murphy grounded out to first to end the inning.
Mets 6, Brewers 0

Bottom 4th: Hart flied out to right. Rivera popped out to shortstop. Hall flied out to right.
Mets 6, Brewers 0

Top 5th: Wright grounded out to shortstop. Delgado walked. Beltran popped out to second base. Church grounded out to third.
Mets 6, Brewers 0

Bottom 5th: Kendall doubled to leftfield. Joe Dillon is pinch hitting for Bush. Dillon struck out looking. Weeks popped out to first. Hardy struck out swinging.
Mets 6, Brewers 0

Top 6th: Seth McClung is pitching for the Bewers. Castillo lined out to shortstop. Schneider singled to leftfield. Perez grounded into a fielder's choice, forcing Schneider at second. Jose Reyes lined out to left.
Mets 6, Brewers 0

Bottom 6th: Kapler hit a ground-rule double to centerfield. Braun popped out to second. Hart doubled in the rightfield corner, scoring Kapler. Mets lead 6-1. Rivera walked. Hall popped out to the catcher for the second out. Kendall flied out to centerfield to end the inning.
Mets 6, Brewers 1

Top 7th: Murphy walked on four pitches. Wright struck out swinging, Murphy was thrown out trying to steal second for a double play. Delgado grounded out to second.
Mets 6, Brewers 1

Bottom 7th: Angel Salmome is pinch hitting. Salome flied out to right. Weeks popped out to shortstop. Hardy hit a solo home run to centerfield, cutting the Mets lead to 6-2. Kapler walked. Joe Smith is in to pitch for Perez. Braun struck out swinging to end the inning.
Mets 6, Brewers 2

Top 8th: Mitch Stetter (LHP) is pitching for the Brewers. Beltran walked. Church struck out swinging. Castillo walked. Fernando Tatis is pinch hitting for Schneider. Tatis popped out to second base. Nick Evans is pinch hitting. Beltran and Castillo stole third and second base, respectively. Evans singled to leftfield, scoring Beltran and Castillo to give the Mets an 8-2 lead. Jose Reyes fouled out to the catcher.
Mets 8, Brewers 2

Bottom 8th Duaner Sanchez is pitching for the Mets. Hart grounded out to shortstop. Rivera grounded out to third. Mat Gamel is pinch hitting for the Brewers. Gamel struck out looking.
Mets 8, Brewers 2

Top 9th: Tim Dillard is pitching for the Brewers. Murphy doubled off the left centerfield wall. Murphy moved to third on a wild pitch. Wright scored Murphy on a sacrifice fly to deep right centerfield. Delgado flied out to centerfield. Beltran struck out swinging.
Mets 9, Brewers 2

Bottom 9th: Scott Schoeneweis is pitching for the Mets. Brad Nelson is pinch hitting for the Brewers. Nelson grounded out to second base. Alcides Escobar is pinch hitting for the Brewers. Escobar singled to leftfield. Weeks grounded into a game-ending 6-4-3 double play.
Final score: Mets 9, Brewers 2

The Mets improve to 79-61, while the Brewers drop to 80-59. Oliver Perez (10-7) gets the win and David Bush (9-10) gets the loss. The Mets head to Philadelphia for a three-game set beginning Friday. Good evening everyone.

Good evening Mets enthusiasts, I'm Chris Mascaro and I'll be bringing you all of tonight's live game action, as the Metropolitans (77-61) take on the Brewers (80-57) in the middle game of a three-game set from Miller Park in Milwaukee. The Mets are two games in front of the Phillies, who have Cole Hamels hurling tonight in Washington.

Met fans will get a taste of the future with 21-year old lefty Jonathon Niese taking the hill. Niese, the seventh-round pick in 2005 who is filling John Maine's spot in the rotation, was solid in Binghamton and New Orleans this season. He went 6-7 with a 3.04 ERA in 22 starts for the Double-A club and 5-1 with a 3.40 ERA in seven starts for the Triple-A squad.

It is uncertain how deep Niese will go into tonight's game, but he'll be facing quite a potent lineup, including boppers Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, Corey Hart and more.

Those three hitters were a combined 6-for-12 yesterday against Johan Santana, but the rest of the team had just two hits, as the Mets took the opener, 4-2. The big blow for the Mets was Carlos Delgado's two-run homer off Eric Gagne in a three-run eighth inning. It was Delgado's team-leading 31st home run.

Since June 27, Delgado's 20 homers and 60 RBIs lead the National League. Tonight, Delgado and company have a tough matchup against lefthander Manny Parra (10-6, 4.00 ERA). Parra has been great in his first full season in the big leagues, and will be the de facto No. 2 starter if Ben Sheets (who left yesterday's game with an injury) is out for an extended period of time.

Parra started the year 8-2, but is 2-4 with a 4.44 ERA after the All-Star break. He gave up one run in six innings in St. Louis last Wednesday, but didn't receive a decision in what became a 5-3 loss for the Crew. Parra took the loss in his only start against the Mets this year, allowing three runs on six hits in four innings in a 4-2 defeat at Shea on April 11. Here are the Mets' career numbers vs. Parra, a combined .235 average.

The Mets have won four of their last five, including two straight, and are 10-3 on the road since August 12.

Finally, here are tonight's lineups:

Mets
1. Reyes, SS
2. Evans, LF
3. Wright, 3B
4. Beltran, CF
5. Delgado, 1B
6. Tatis, RF
7. Easley, 2B
8. Cancel, C
9. Niese, LHP

*Beltran left yesterday's game after an awkward collision with an umpire at the plate, but is back in the lineup tonight after testing out his knee earlier today.

Brewers
1. Weeks, 2B
2. Hardy, SS
3. Braun, LF
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Hart, RF
6. Cameron, CF
7. Hall, 3B
8. Kendall, C
9. Parra, LHP

Okay, plenty more to talk about as we progress tonight, so be sure to voice your opinions/comments/questions in the chat box below. And be sure to vote on the poll questions! I'll be back after each half-inning to update everyone on the game action.

We're about 15 minutes from baseball on SNY!

Top of the 1st: A 1-2-3 inning for Parra, as Reyes and Evans struck out swinging and Wright grounded out to short. Parra needed just 13 pitches in the inning. Here comes Niese...

Bottom of the 1st: Quite an inauspicious start for Niese, as Rickie Weeks hit his 11th career leadoff home run on Niese's second career pitch to give the Brewers a 1-0 lead. It is the 12th homer and 40th RBI for Weeks on the year.

Niese then walked Hardy and Braun, before getting Fielder to ground out to first. Delgado bobbled the potential double-play grounder, but was able to at least get the out at first.

But it didn't bother Niese, as he settled down and got Hart and Cameron to strike out swinging to end the inning. He needed 30 pitches to get through the first.

Top of the 2nd: Nice inning for the Mets. After Beltran led off the inning with a walk, Delgado singled (in the hole on the left side) and Tatis doubled down the right-field line to score Beltran and tie the game at 1.

Then Easley hit an RBI groundout to short to put the Mets on top, 2-1. Cancel grounded out to third (moving Tatis to third), but Niese struck out swinging to end the inning.

Bottom of the 2nd: Nick Evans made an excellent catch on Bill Hall's fly ball right up against the left-field wall for the first out. Kendall walked and Parra sacrificed him to second, but Weeks popped out to second to end the inning.

The only negative besides the leadoff homer for Niese is that he has thrown 47 pitches already. (Also, I'm sure Jerry Manuel didn't want to see him walk the No. 8 hitter ahead of the pitcher, but that's nitpicking for a kid making his first start.)

Top of the 3rd: After Reyes lined out to left, Evans reached on Hardy's throwing error (Fielder couldn't make the scoop) and Wright singled up the middle.

A wild pitch by Parra put runners on second and third for Beltran, who nailed his 22nd home run to left-center field, a three-run shot that put the Mets ahead 5-1. Beltran, who has 96 RBIs now, has three home runs in his last five games.

Delgado grounded out to first for the second out, and Tatis struck out swinging to end the inning.

Bottom of the 3rd: After a Hardy walk (Niese's fourth free pass of the night), Braun blooped a single right over the head of Reyes. But Niese got three straight fly outs to end the inning.

Fielder went to left, Hart to right (with Hardy tagging and going to third) and Cameron to center. Nice job by the rook, who needed just 15 pitches this inning and now has 62.

Top of the 4th: After Easley grounded out to second (nice barehanded play by Weeks), Cancel singled to right. But Niese failed to put down a bunt and inevitably struck out (Parra's fifth K of the night), and Cancel was tagged out trying to steal second.

Parra has 62 pitches through four innings.

Bottom of the 4th: A tough inning for Niese against the bottom of the order, as Hall (No. 7 hitter) singled to right, Kendall (No. 8) doubled off the right-field chalk, and Parra (the pitcher) lined a double off the right-field wall to close the Mets' lead to 5-3 before an out was recorded.

Weeks singled up the middle to put runners on the corners, and then Hardy singled to left to score Parra and make it 5-4 Mets. After five straight hits, that was all for Niese, who went 3+ innings, allowing five runs on seven hits and four walks with two K's. He threw 73 pitches.

Righty Nelson Figueroa (3-3, 4.99) came on for the Mets with no outs and runners on first and second. He struck Braun out looking (he was fooled with a fastball), but Fielder walked on a 3-and-2 pitch.

Hart then blooped a single over Reyes, allowing Weeks to score and tie the game at 5. But Beltran threw Hardy out at the plate; his sixth assist of the season. A nice block of the plate by Cancel, as well.

Cameron struck out swinging to end the inning.

Top of the 5th: Parra has his second 1-2-3 inning of the evening, as Reyes lined out to left, Evans grounded out to short and Wright struck out swinging.

Reyes and Evans are each 0-for-3 with a K on the night thus far. Parra is at 79 pitches.

Bottom of the 5th: Figueroa struck out Hall swinging to lead off the inning, and then got Kendall to fly out to center. Parra doubled to left-center (his second of the night and sixth extra-base hit of the year) before Weeks grounded a shot to third. Wright made a nice diving stop to his left, but couldn't throw out the speedy Weeks.

Hardy gave one a ride to left-center, but Evans tracked it down on the the track to end the inning.

Top of the 6th: Beltran ripped a single to left off Hall's glove (his second hit of the night and third time on base in three tries) before Delgado walked, prompting Ned Yost to bring in righty Guillermo Mota (4-5, 4.34).

Parra went five innings, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks with six K's. He threw 86 pitches.

Mota got Tatis to ground into a 5-4-3 double play and Easley grounded out to third to end the inning. Nice job by the former Met.

Bottom of the 6th: Righty Duaner Sanchez (5-1, 4.33) came on in relief of the Figueroa, who went two scoreless innings, allowing three hits and a walk with three K's.

Sanchez did a nice job with the heart of the order, as he pitched a 1-2-3 inning. Braun popped out short, Fielder popped out to third and Hart grounded out to short.

Top of the 7th: After Cancel struck out looking to lead off the inning, Argenis Reyes (hitting in the pitcher's spot) walked. He moved to second on a slow grounder to short by Jose Reyes. Evans grounded out to first to end the inning.

Nice outing by Mota, who threw two scoreless innings.

Bottom of the 7th: Righty Brian Stokes (1-0, 2.70) came on in relief of Sanchez, who threw a hitless inning.

Stokes did the same, as Cameron popped out to first, Hall struck out swinging and Kendall grounded out to short.

Top of the 8th: Righty Eric Gagne, yesterday's goat, came on in relief of Mota, who threw two hitless innings.

Gagne got Wright to fly out to deep right, Beltran to line out hard to center and Delgado to line out to right.

Bottom of the 8th: Ray Durham (pinch-hitting in the pitcher's spot) grounded out to first before Weeks lined one into the left-field corner. Endy Chavez, who came on as a defensive replacement, threw out Weeks on a close call at second.

Weeks slid with his feet to the right of the bag and went in hands first. The slide, which also took out the second base ump (the second time in this series we've seen that), most likely cost Weeks. Ned Yost came out to argue to no avail.

Hardy struck out swinging to end the inning.

Top of the 9th: Righty Salomon Torres (6-3, 2.54), the Brewers' closer, came on in relief of Gagne.

He had a 1-2-3 inning, as Tatis grounded out to third, Easley flied to left and Ryan Church (hitting for Cancel) grounded out to first.

Bottom of the 9th: Stokes came in for a third inning, but lasted just one batter, as he walked Braun. Manuel brought in lefty Pedro Feliciano (2-4, 3.88), who threw one pitch to Fielder and got him to ground into a 4-6-3 double play.

Manuel played the matching game again, as he brought in righty Joe Smith (2-3, 3.83) to face Hart. Wright made a nice diving stop to his right and threw out Hart by a step. Nice play.

The Met bullpen has thrown six innings of four-hit ball (and no runs) thus far. Nice job by Manuel to mix-and-match, as well.

Top of the 10th: Daniel Murphy (pinch-hitting for Joe Smith) singled before a Reyes bunt. Kendall fielded the ball and fired to first, but Weeks (who was covering the bag) dropped the ball after Reyes ran into him, allowing him to reach and Murphy to move over to third.

(An error was charged to Kendall on the throw.)

Chavez (who made a stellar play in the field earlier) hit a sacrifice fly to right to score Murphy with the go-ahead run. Mets lead, 6-5.

Wright grounded into a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Bottom of the 10th: Righty Luis Ayala (2-8, 5.48) came on and got his 5th save since joining the Mets. He struck Cameron out looking and got Hall to fly out to right before Brad Nelson (pinch-hitting for Kendall) doubled into the right-field corner.

Tony Gwynn, Jr. came on to pinch run and Gabe Kapler pinch hit in the pitcher's spot. Kapler walked to bring up Weeks (who was 4-for-5 at that point). But Weeks struck out swinging to end the game.

That's the ballgame, folks! Mets win, 6-5.
Mets: 78-61 *remain two ahead of the Phillies, who won 4-0 in Washington
Brewers: 80-58

WP--Smith (3-3)
LP--Torres (6-4)
SV--Ayala (5)

HR: Mets 1 (Beltran, 22); Brewers 1 (Weeks, 12)

Here are your three stars for tonight's game:
1. Mets bullpen: 7 IP, no runs, five hits, three walks and seven strikeouts (Figueroa and Stokes pitched two scoreless innings)
2. Endy Chavez: threw out Weeks on a shot down the line and then had the game-winning sacrifice fly in his only at-bat.
3. Carlos Beltran: 2-for-3 with a three-run homer and two runs

As always, it was my honor and pleasure to bring everyone tonight's live game action. I hope to see ya'll very soon! Goodnight everybody!

Mets (76-61) vs. Brewers (80-56)

Johan Santana (12-7) 2.70 ERA 159 SO vs Ben Sheets (12-7) 3.05 ERA 144 SO

The Phillies were effective in either fouling off Santana's pitches or taking them over the fence, forcing the Mets ace out of the game after six innings with six strikeouts and three runs allowed in a no-decision. He threw 106 pitches, 67 for strikes, and gave up two home runs to end his scoreless innings streak at 16. Next are the Brewers, who Santana has a 3-2 career record against with 3.61 ERA in 47 1/3 innings.

Sheets was backed into a corner in his last start but managed to toss six scoreless innings, working his way out of more than a few jams in the early innings. He struck out twice as many batters has he walked and yielded only five hits against St. Louis. Sheets went as far as six innings all six of his August starts and will try to continue the longevity vs. the Mets, against whom he is 4-2 with a 5.10 ERA in his career.

Joseph Staszewski is here on Labor Day to take you through all the action.

METS 4, BREWERS 2

Bottom of the Ninth: Ayala is in to close. Chavez replaced Beltran, who has a right knee contusion. Brewers go down in order.

Top of the Ninth: Mota comes on in relief. Reyes is picked off first after a one-out single.

Bottom of the Eighth: Braun doubles off the wall in right center. Feliciano strikes out fielder. Joe Smith it brought it. He strikes out Hart and Cameron.

Top of the Eighth: Gagne in the pitch for the Brewers. He gives up a lead-off double to Murphy down the left field line. Wright strikes out swinging for the second straight at bat. Delgado homers over the right field fence on an 0-2 pitch. Beltran singles and scored on a double by Church in the left field gap. METS 4, BREWERS 2

Bottom of the Seventh: Figueroa replaced Santana and Cancel is in a catcher. Brewers go 1-2-3.

Top of the Seventh: Beltran doubles over Cameron's head in center. Church lines out hard to third. Delgado grounds out. Riske comes in an walked Marlon Anderson as a pinch hitter. Tatis then walks and Stetter is brought in to face Reyes. A wild pitch scored Beltran, but Reyes pops out to center. BREWERS 2, METS 1

Bottom of the Sixth: Fielder and Hart both single to lead of the inning. Cameron bunts them over and Santana is call for a balk. Fielder scores and Hall strikes out. Kendall ground out to end the inning. BREWERS 2, METS 0

Top of the Sixth: Villanueva replaces Sheets, who leave with soreness in his left groin. Reyes works a one-out walk. Murphy singles threw the hole at second on a hit and run to move Reyes to third. Wright strikes outs swinging. Shouse is brought in to face Delgado, who lines out.

Bottom of the Fifth: Santana strikes out the side and has nine strikeouts in the game.

Top of the Fifth: Sheets sets the Mets down 1-2-3 again.

Bottom of the Fourth: Santana allows just a single to Hart.

Top of the Fourth: Mets go in order

Bottom of the Third: Brewers get just a single from Braun.

Top of the Third: Mets go 1-2-3.

Bottom of the Second: Kendell singles, but Santana strikes out two Brewers in the inning.

Top of the Second: Mets get just a single by Delgado and a walk by Easley.

Bottom of the First: Hardy triples to the corner in left with one out. Braun doubles down the left field line to score Hardy. Fielder strikes out and Hart flies out to end the inning. BREWERS 1, METS 0

Top of the First: Reyes hustles to get a double off the game. Murphy pops up a bunt. Reyes is caught stealing third. Wright flies out.

Good afternoon everyone. Marc Jimenez here as the Mets conclude their three-game series with Florida and try to erase the memory of Saturday’s heartbreaking 4-3 loss. The bullpen has been a big problem for the Mets (75-61) and yesterday was no different as Aaron Heilman walked in the winning run. With Pedro Martinez (4-3, 5.22 ERA) going today, the ‘pen will most likely have to pitch a few innings in relief.

In his last start, Martinez allowed five runs on seven hits in five innings in an 8-7 loss in 13 innings to Philadelphia on Tuesday. Martinez is just 6-6 against the Marlins (69-67). Scott Olson (6-8, 4.19), who is 0-2 with a 6.17 ERA in his last four starts, will be on the hill for the Fish.

By the way, David Lennon reported: Jon Niese is starting Tuesday against the Brewers at Miller Park. The Mets will call up: catcher Gustavo Molina, infielders Argenis Reyes and Ramon Martinez, along with pitchers Al Reyes, Ricardo Rincon and Bobby Parnell. Marlon Anderson will also be reinstated from the DL.

Be back in a few...

Top 1st: The Mets have done a good job scoring in the first inning all season long. This time, however, they didn’t as Jose Reyes, Nick Evans and David Wright went down in order.

Bottom 1st: The Marlins touched up Pedro for two early runs. Hanley Ramirez led off with a single, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on Luis Gonzalez’ double. Two batters later, Mike Jacobs lifted a sacrifice fly. Marlins 2, Mets 0.

Top 2nd: The Mets cut the lead in half on Carlos Beltran’s 21st homer. Marlins 2, Mets 1.

Bottom 2nd: The Marlins had two on with one out following back-to-back one-out singles by Cody Ross and John Baker, but Pedro didn’t allow a run. The hit by Baker should have been an error. It was hit to Wright, who thought about going to second before going to first. But by then, it was too late.

Top 3rd: Evans and Wright hit back-to-back homers to move ahead of the Fish. For Evans, it was his first Major League homer. Mets 3, Marlins 2.

Bottom 3rd: Pedro got in some trouble after walking Jacobs with two outs and giving up a double to Dan Uggla, before fanning Jeremy Hermida on a 3-2 pitch.

Top 4th: The Mets went down in order.

Bottom 4th: Pedro issued a one-out single to John Baker, but nothing else. Olsen struck out trying to get down a sacrifice bunt and Ramirez hit a little bloop to Reyes for the final out.

Top 5th: Reyes reached on a two-out bunt single and stole third following a single by Evans, but the Mets could not add to their lead as Wright grounded out.

Bottom 5th: 1-2-3 inning for Pedro.

Top 6th: Beltran, Delgado and Tatis were set down in order.

Bottom 6th: Another 1-2-3 inning for Pedro, who has retired eight Marlins in a row. Damion Easley made a nice play, reaching to his right, on a ball hit by Jeremy Hermida.

Top 7th: Big inning for the Mets! Easley got it started with a leadoff single. Robinson Cancel moved him to second with a sacrifice bunt. Daniel Murphy, who hit for Pedro Martinez, walked. Reyes followed with an RBI single as Olsen was lifted for Doug Waechter. Ryan Church, who hit for Evans, laced an RBI single to make it 5-2. Then following Wright’s single to load the bases, Beltran hit a sacrifice fly. Mets 6, Marlins 2.

Bottom 7th: Scott Schoenweis started the inning and allowed a two-out single to Ramirez and a walk to Gonzalez. Aaron Heillman, who took the loss last night, came on. He uncorked a wild pitch, as the runners moved up to second and third, then retired Cantu.

Top 8th: Easley and Endy Chavez each had base hits.

Bottom 8th: Pedro Peliciano started the inning and fanned Jacobs. Jose Smith came on, fanned Uggla and got Ross to ground out.

Top 9th: Wright hit a one-out single before Beltran hit into an inning-ending DP. Three more outs to go. Can the bullpen hold it?

Bottom 9th: Brian Stokes came on and allowed singles to Baker and Gonzalez, but nothing else. Cantu lined out to Reyes, who made a nice diving catch, to end the game. Final: Mets 6, Marlins 2.

Adam Ronis here to moderate tonight's game. A good pitching matchup as Mike Pelfrey (13-8, 3.70 ERA) takes on Ricky Nolasco (13-7, 3.62 ERA). Pelfrey has pitched two straight complete games, but has struggled tremendously against the Marlins this season. He is 0-3 and has allowed 15 earned runs in 12 2/3 innings against them this season.

Bottom 9: Heilman pitching. Ramirez walks. Amezaga puts down a successful sac bunt. Ramirez to throw on a wild pitch as Cantu swings and misses. Cantu and Jacobs intentionally walked to load the bases. Willingham walks on a 3-and-1 pitch to force home the winning run. Mets lose, 4-3

Top 9: Murphy singles. Schneider puts down a successful sac bunt. Lindstrom into pitch. Chavez runs for Murphy. Easley flies to center. Reyes fouls out. Mets 3, Marlins 3

Bottom 8: Jacobs homers to lead off. Willingham strikes out. Uggla walks. Stokes now pitching. Ross singles. Baker strikes out. Gonzalez strikes out. Mets 3, Marlins 3

Top 8: Hendrickson pitching. Beltran walks with two outs, but that's it. Mets 3, Marlins 2

Bottom 7: Baker singles. Gonzalez grounds into a 3-6-3 double play. Ramirez walks with two outs. Pelfrey leaves after throwing 115 pitches. Feliciano comes in. Helms singles. Sanchez now pitching. Cantu strikes out. Mets 3, Marlins 2

Top 7: Kensing now pitching. Reyes walks with two outs and steals second. Castillo strikes out looking. Mets 3, Marlins 2

Bottom 6: Uggla hits a two-run single with two outs. Pelfrey gets Ross to fly out to end the inning. Mets 3, Marlins 2

Top 6: Mets don't score. Mets 3, Marlins 0

Bottom 5: Pelfrey retired the side in order. Mets 3, Marlins 0

Top 5: Mets go down 1-2-3. Mets 3, Marlins 0

Bottom 4:Cantu gets hit with one out and Jacobs singles. Willingham flies to right. Cantu to third. Uggla grounds into a fielder's choice. Mets 3, Marlins 0

Top 4: Murphy singles with one out and gets caught stealing. Schneider follows with a double. Pelfrey strikes out to end it. Mets 3, Marlins 0

Bottom 3: Pelfrey retired the side 1-2-3. Mets 3, Marlins 0

Top 3: Reyes triple with one out. Castillo singles through a drawn in infield to score Reyes. Mets 3, Marlins 0

Bottom 2: Ross gets hits with a 2-and-2 pitch with two outs and the benches empty. Nothing happens after that. Ross gets picked off to end the inning. Mets 2, Marlins 0

Top 2: Mets go in order. Mets 2, Marlins 0

Bottom 1: Ramirez strikes out. Hermida grounds out to short. Cantu doubles as Murphy loses the ball and it drops in leftfield. Jacobs grounds out. Mets 2, Marlins 0

Top 1: Luis Castillo singles with one out and David Wright hits a two-run homer to left. Mets 2, Marlins 0

Good evening everyone. Marc Jimenez with you as the Mets open a three-game series against the Florida Marlins. Oliver Perez (9-7, 4.00 ERA), who is 3-0 with a 2.16 ERA in four starts against the Marlins this season, will be going for the Mets (74-60). In his last outing, Perez allowed four runs on four hits with eight strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings during a 6-4, 10-inning loss to Houston on Sunday. Chris Volstad (4-3, 3.42), who is looking for his first win in three starts, will be on the hill for the Marlins (68-66).

Stat of the day: Carlos Delgado is 6-for-13 with four homers and nine RBIs in the last three games.

Top 1st: The Mets scored a run on Carlos Beltran’s sacrifice fly. Jose Reyes led off with an infield single and later stole second. Luis Castillo reached on a bunt single and also stole second to set up second and third with no one out. After David Wright struck out, Carlos Delgado walked before Beltran lifted his sacrifice fly. Ryan Church followed and flied out to Wes Helms, who made a great catch near the bullpen. Mets 1, Marlins 0.

Bottom 1st: Perez allowed an infield single to Hanley Ramirez, but nothing else. Paul Lo Duca popped out to Delgado, who made a nice catch in foul territory. Jorge Cantu flied out and Wes Helms grounded out.

Top 2nd: Not much for the Mets this inning. After Daniel Murphy flied out, Brian Schneider struck out and Perez, oddly enough, drew a walk. Reyes followed and made good contact, but hit it right to Cantu at first for the final out.

Bottom 2nd: Perez gave up a towering homer to Josh Willingham, his 10th , before striking out Cody Ross, getting Dan Uggla to ground out and fanning Jeremy Hermida. Mets 1, Marlins 1.

Top 3rd: Wright and Beltran each singled in the inning, but the Mets could not take the lead as Church struck out looking to end the inning.

Bottom 3rd: The Marlins went ahead this inning. Starter Chris Volstad reached on an error by Reyes, moved to second on Ramirez’s walk, took third on Lo Duca’s sacrifice bunt and scored on a Cantu’s sacrifice fly. Marlins 2, Mets 1.

Top 4th: The Mets went down in order as Murphy struck out and Schneider and Perez grounded out.

Bottom 4th: Perez allowed two walks in the inning, but he benefited from the pitcher’s best friend: a double play. Ross hit it right to Delgado for an unassisted DP.

Top 5th: Second straight hitless inning for the Mets. Reyes struck out looking. (He argued with the ump, but to no avail.) Castillo grounded out and Wright flied out.

Bottom 5th: Perez got out of the inning without allowing a run, but he looked a little out of it. He issued a one-out walk to Ramirez before getting Lo Duca to fly out and Cantu to ground out.

Top 6th: 10 straight Mets have been retired. This time, Delgado, Beltran and Church grounded out.

Bottom 6th: Perez gave up a stand-up, two-out triple to Ross before getting Hermida to ground out two batters later. Perez is likely done. He has thrown over 110 pitches.

Top 7th: The Mets wasted a golden opportunity to tie the game (or take the lead). With the bases loaded and one out, Castillo grounded into a fielder’s choice and Wright struck out.

Bottom 7th: Brian Stokes came on for Perez and worked a 1-2-3 inning.

Top 8th: Another eventful inning for the Mets, but sadly for them, no runs were scored. Arthur Rhodes started the inning. Delgado fanned and Beltran reached on a E3. (Beltran hit a weak grounded to Cantu, who could not pick up the ball cleanly.) Two batters later, Murphy singled Beltran to third to end Rhodes’ night. Matt Lindstrom came on and got Endy Chavez to ground back to him for an easy out.

Bottom 8th: It wasn’t pretty, but Joe Smith worked a scoreless inning. Top of the order will come up for the Mets. Will they tie the game?

Top 9th: The Mets were down to their final out before they made an incredible come back. After Robinson Cancel popped out and Reyes grounded out, Castillo, Wright and Delgado reached before Beltran belted a grand slam. Mets 5, Marlins 2.

Bottom 9th: Luis Ayala came on and was VERY shaky. Hermida hit a one-out single and moved to second two batters later on a two-out single by Ramirez. Former Met Mike Jacobs followed with an RBI single and Cantu laced a run-scoring double to make it 5-4. But with second and third, Helms grounded out. Final: Mets 5, Marlins 4.

Adam Ronis here to take you through tonight's game. Johan Santana (12-7, 2.64 ERA) has won his last three starts and has pitched at least seven innings in four straight. The Mets will need a similar performance tonight after a 13-inning lost last night in which Aaron Heilman threw three innings and is unavailable tonight. Kyle Kendrick (11-7, 4.87 ERA) takes the mound for the Phillies. He actually warmed up in the bullpen last night, so keep an eye on how he fares early in this game.

Bottom 9:Ayala pitching. Feliz grounds out to short. Coste grounds out to shortstop. Taguchi grounds out to short. Mets win, 6-3.

Top 9:Reyes singles to left. Castillo sacrifices Reyes to second. Wright strikes out, Reyes goes to third on ball in the dirt. Delgado gets an intentional walk. Beltran flies out to left. Mets 6, Phillies 3

Bottom 8: Feliciano pitching. Howard flies out to left. Victorino grounds out to Wright, who makes a great throw from foul territory. Smith comes into pitch. Werth grounds out to short. Mets 6, Phillies 3

Top 8: Seanez pitching. Castillo grounds out to first. Wright strikes out. Delgado homers to leftfield. Beltran reaches on an infield single. Lidge now pitching. Beltran steals second. Church gets an intentional walk. Murphy hits an RBI double to rightfield. Schneider hits a two-run single. Easley grounds into a fielder's choice. Mets 6, Phillies 3

Bottom 7: Stokes pitching. Coste singles to left. Dobbs pinch hits and grounds into a 4-6-3 double play. Rollins walks and steals second. Utley gets an intentional walk. Burrell grounds out to third. Phillies 3, Mets 2

Top 7: Schneider strikes out. Nick Evans pinch hits for Santana and strikes out. Reyes fouls out to first. Phillies 3, Mets 2

Bottom 6: Burrell doubles to left. Howard walks. Victorino strikes out. Werth fouls out to first. Feliz strikes out. Phillies 3, Mets 2

Top 6: Delgado homers to right. Beltran reaches on an infield single. Kendrick is taken out. Scott Eyre is in. Chruch strikes out. Murphy grounds into 3-6-3 double play. Phillies 3, Mets 2

Bottom 5:Feliz singles. Coste flies out to left. Kendrick strikes out. Rollins walks. Utley grounds out to second. Phillies 3, Mets 1

Top 5: Santana fouls out to third. Reyes grounded out to second. Castillo singles. Wright pops up to second. Phillies 3, Mets 1

Bottom 4:Howard walks. Victorino grounds into a 4-6-3 double play. Werth flies out to left. Phillies 3, Mets 1

Top 4: Delgado lines out to first. Beltran singles to right-center. Church walks. Murphy lines to center. Schneider grounds out. Phillies 3, Mets 1

Bottom 3: Rollins pops up to short. Utley flies to center. Burrell ground out to third. Phillies 3, Mets 1

Top 3: Reyes singles. Castillo lines to center and with Reyes running on the pitch, gets doubled off first base. Wright pops up to first. Phillies 3, Mets 1

Bottom 2: Werth homers to left. Feliz grounded out to short. Coste grounds out. Kendrick strikes out looking. Phillies 3, Mets 1

Top 2:Chruch singles to left and steals second. Murphy strikes out looking. Schneider grounds out to second, Church to third. Santana grounds out to second. Phillies 2, Mets 1

Bottom 1:Rollins bloops a single to left. Utley flies out to right. Burrell strikes out. Rollins gets picked off, but makes it safely to second. Howard hits a two-run homer down the leftfield line for his 36th of the season. Victorino strikes out. Phillies 2, Mets 1

Top 1: Reyes singles. Castillo flies to shallow left. Wright grounds to third, Reyes to second. Delgado singles to right scoring Reyes. Beltran grounds out. Mets 1, Phillies 0

Mets (73-59) vs. Phillies (72-59)

Pedro Martinez (3-4, 4.97) vs. Jaimie Moyer (11-7, 3.54)

It's Old-Timers day on the mound tonight as the Mets and Phillies meet with just a half game between them in the NL East standings.

Pedro Martinez, 37, gave one of his best performances of the season when he gave up four runs over seven innings against the Braves at Shea. He struck out six, threw over 100 pitches and even started the eighth inning. In his last start against the Phillies, Martinez allowed two earned runs in 5 1/3 innings in a win. It will be tough to get a comparable performance tonight against a potent Phillies line up and a small Citizens Bank Park.

Moyer, 22-year veteran, ran his streak of allowing three runs or fewer to 14 with a fine effort against Washington. He surrendered one earned run in 6 2/3 innings, but he received a no-decision. In 18 career starts against the Mets the lefty is 7-4 with a 2.85 ERA. He has faced them four times this season, giving up three, two, two and one run in those outings.

Joseph Staszewski is here to take you through all the action.

Bottom of the Thirteenth: Scott Schoenewis comes in. Victorino leads off the inning with a triple. The Mets walk the bases loaded. Brett Myers strikes out looking. Chris Coste singles to center to win it for the Phillies.

PHILLIES 8, METS 7

Top of the Thirteenth: Mets go 1-2-3.

Bottom of the Twelfth: Heilman get the Phillies in order in his third inning of relief. He strikes out Utley and Howard.

Top of the Twelfth: J. C. Romero in for the Phillies. Mets get just a walk by Tatis.

Bottom of the Eleventh: Worth walks with one out. Bruntlett singles to left. Cole Hamels pinch hits because the Phillies have no more bench players. He strikes out looking. Coste hits a ball down to Wright, who cannot find his footing. Rollins pops out with the bases loaded.

Top of the Eleventh: Wright is thrown out by Jason Werth trying to go to second on a ball hit down the right field line to end the inning.

Bottom of the Tenth: Aaron Heilman takes over on the mound. Chris Coste doubles right down the left field line. Rollins flies out to left and Utley is walked intentionally. Burrell strikes out looking. Delgado field a bullet from Howard and takes it to the bag to end the inning.

Top of the Tenth: Ryan Madson comes on in relief for the Phillies. Schneider singles with one out, but A. Reyes hits into a double play.

Bottom of the Ninth: Luis Ayala enters the game and gets the first two out. Werth singles and Brunlett double to right center to score Werth. Reyes makes a great diving stop and throw to throw out Ruiz and send the game to the 10th. METS 7, PHILLIES 7

Top of the Ninth: Brad Lidge comes in to get the Mets 1-2-3.

Bottom of the Eighth: Sanchez comes in to start the inning. He gets the first out, but then gives up a single to Ruiz. Pedro Feliciano is the next pitcher out of the pen and he gives up a single to Dobbs. Rollins single to right to score Ruiz. Felciano strikes out Utley for the second out. Joe Smith is then brought in to face Burrell. Rollins steals second, but Burrell flies out deep to left to end the inning. METS 7 PHILLIES 6

Top of the Eighth: Chad Durbin comes in for the Phillies. Reyes walks and steals second. Easley walks, but Wright ground into a double play to end the inning.

Bottom of the Seventh: Phillies go 1-2-3.

Top of the Seventh: Mets go in order.

Bottom of the Sixth: Brian Stokes comes on in relief. Rollins singles with two outs and is moves to third on an Utley single to center.

Top of the Sixth: Reyes singles and then Easley bunts for a hit. Wright pops out. Scott Eyre comes in and hits Beltran in the foot and then gets Delgado to hit into a double play to end the inning.

Bottom of the Fifth: Condrey, a relief pitcher, singles to lead off the inning. Rollins hits a two-run homer to right. Howard then smacks a two-run homer to left field with one out. Pedro strikes out Feliz with the tying run on second to end an inning that saw five Phillies' hits. METS 7, PHILLIES 5

Top of the Fifth: Castro pulls his hamstring running safe to first when Howard could not scoop a Rollins throw. Schneider replaces him.

Bottom of the Fourth: Pedro Feliz hits a sac fly to center to score Victorino. METS 7, PHILLIES 1

Top of the Fourth: Clay Condrey comes in to pitch. Easley lead off with a triple to put him just a double away from the cycle. He then scores on a ground out to second by Wright. The RBI is Wright's 100th of the season. METS 7, PHILLIES 0

Bottom of the Third: Phillies get just a single and a stolen base from Rollins.

Top of the Third: The Carlos and Carlo get back to back singles to start the inning. Beltran steals third. The Mets get a break when Beltran is hit in fair territory on a ground ball to third, but the ball is called fouls. Tatis hits a three-run homer to left. METS 6, PHILLIES 0

Bottom of the Second: Pedro gets the Phillies in order.

Top of the Second: Easley smacks a homer to left center. METS 3, PHILLIES 0

Bottom of the First: Rollins leads off with a double and Utley is then hit on the foot with a pitch. After Burrell flies out, Howard strikes out, but runners moves to second and third on a double steal. Pedro then strikes out Victorino to end the inning.

Top of the First: Reyes leads off with a triple off the left center field wall. Easely drives him in with a double down the left field line to give the Mets another first inning run. Tatis later singles with the bases loaded and one out to score Easley. METS 2, PHILLIES 0

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.

Good afternoon Mets fans. Welcome to another day on the blog. Marcus Henry will take you through game three of this four-game set between the Mets and Astros.

Mets (72-58) vs. Astros (65-64); 1:10 p.m.

Oliver Perez (9-7, 3.93 ERA) will start for the Mets, while Randy Wolf (8-11, 4.81) will take the mound for the Astros.

Last Starts: Perez continued his second half surge in his last start as he struck out three and gave up three runs in 6 1/3 innings of the Mets 7-3 win over the Braves on August 19. Perez got a no-decision, but got into the seventh inning despite walking five batters.

Wolf wasn't nearly as effective as Perez in his last start as the Brewers blitzed him for five hits and six runs over four innings. It's worth noting that Wolf his 11-5 with a 3.25 ERA against the Mets in his career.

Mets notes: Ryan Church isn't in the starting lineup today. Fernando Tatis, who is 4-11 with two RBIs during this homestand will start in rightfield.

Top 1st: Reggie Abercrombie struck out looking. Darin Erstad struck out swinging. Miguel Tejada fouled out to the catcher to end the inning.
Mets 0, Houston 0

Bottom 1st: Jose Reyes singled up the middle. Nick Evans flied out to centerfield. Reyes was thrown out trying to advance to second. David Wright walked. Carlos Beltran hit a two-run home run to leftfield, scoring Wright to give the Mets a 2-0 lead. It's the 13th time in their last 17 games the Mets have scored in the first innings. The Mets lead the majors in that category with 108 runs. Carlos Delgado flied out to centerfield to end the inning.
Mets 2, Houston 0

Top 2nd: Ty Wigginton doubled down the leftfield line. Wigginton advanced to third on a wild pitch. Mark Loretta flied out to deep second base. Hunter Pence struck out swinging. Jose Castillo flied out to rightfield.
Mets 2, Houston 0

Bottom 2nd: Fernando Tatis popped out to third. Damion Easley singled to leftfield. Easley advanced to second on a wild pitch. Ramon Castro popped out to deep second base. Perez struck out swinging.
Mets 2, Houston 0

Top 3rd: Humberto Quintero popped out to shortstop. Randy Wolf struck out swinging. Abercrombie bunted out to third.
Mets 2, Houston 0

Bottom 3rd: J. Reyes lined out to centerfield. Evans singled to leftfield. Wright doubled down the leftfield line. Evans moved to third. Beltran was intentionally walked, loading the bases. Delgado flied out to shallow rightfield for the second out. Tatis walked, forcing in Evans to give the Mets a 3-0 lead. Easley was robbed of a base hit by Mark Loretta who made a diving catch on a pop up to end the inning.
Mets 3, Houston 0

Top 4th: Erstad reached on an infield single to second. Tejada doubled to left centerfield. Erstad moved to third. Wigginton struck out swinging. Loretta scored Erstad on a sacrifice fly to centerfield. The Mets now lead 3-1. Tejada remained at second base. Pence hit a two-run homer to right centerfield, scoring Tejada. The score is tied, 3-3. Castillo grounded out to shortstop to end the inning.
Mets 3, Houston 3

Bottom 4th: Castro struck out swinging. Perez struck out swinging. J. Reyes flied out to shallow rightfield to end the inning.
Mets 3, Houston 3

Top 5th: Quintero flied out to leftfield. Wolf struck out. Abercrombie flied out to shallow centerfield.
Mets 3, Houston 3

Bottom 5th: Evans grounded out to third. Wright lined out to leftfield. Beltran homered to leftfield to give the Mets a 4-3 lead. It was Beltran's second multi-home run game of the year. Delgado lined out to shortstop.
Mets 4, Houston 3

Top 6th: Erstad struck out. Tejada flied out to deep leftfield. Wigginton struck out swinging (put out 2-3) to end the inning.
Mets 4, Houston 3

Bottom 6th: Tatis singled to leftfield. Easley popped out to first. Castro grouned out to first. Tatis moved to second. Perez struck out swinging.
Mets 4, Houston 3

Top 7th: Loretta grounded out to third. Pence walked. Heilman is on to pitch for the Mets, replacing Perez. Geoff Blum is pinch hitting for Castillo. Blum doubled off the rightfield wall. David Newhan is pinch hitting for Quintero. Newhan singled to right, scoring Pence. Blum was thrown out at the plate for the second out. Newhan advanced to second on the throw. The score is tied at 4. The line on Oliver Perez: 6.1 IP, 4H, 4R, 1BB, 8K. Michael Bourn is pinch hitting for Wolf. Scott Schoeneweis is pitching for Heilman. Bourn walked. Abercrombie grounded out to the pitcher.
Mets 4, Houston 4

Bottom 7th: Chris Sampson is pitching for the Astros. J. Reyes grounded out to second. Evans grounded out to third. Wright grounded out to shortstop to end the inning.
Mets 4, Houston 4

Top 8th: Pence grounded out to shortstop. Joe Smith is in to pitch for the Mets. Tejada popped out to shortstop. Wigginton grounded out to shortstop.
Mets 4, Houston 4

Bottom 8th: Beltran fouled out to third. Delgado flied out to leftfield. Tatis grounded out to third.
Mets 4, Houston 4

Top 9th: Luis Ayala is pitching for the Mets. Loretta grounded out to second base. Pence lined out to first. Blum grounded out to first.
Mets 4, Houston 4

Bottom 9th: LaTroy Hawkins is pitching for the Astros. Easley flied out to centerfield. Daniel Murphy is pinch hitting for Castro. Murphy flied out to leftfield. Ryan Church is pinch hitting in the ninth spot. Church grounded out to second. We are headed to extra innings.
Mets 4, Houston 4

Top 10th: Pedro Feliciano is pitching for the Mets. Brad Ausmus is pinch hitting for the Astros. Ausmus homered to leftfield to give the Astros a 5-4 lead. Bourn struck out. Lance Berkman is pinch hitting for the Astros. Berkman flied out to rightfield. Erstad homered to rightfield to give the Astros a 6-4 lead. Duaner Sanchez is in to pitch for the Mets. Tejada grounded out to shortstop to end the inning.
Houston 6, Mets 4

Bottom 10th: Jose Valverde is pitching for Houston. J. Reyes grounded out to second base. Evans flied out to centerfield. Wright grounded out to first to end the game.
Final score: Houston 6, Mets 4

The Mets fall to 72-59 and the Astros improve to 66-64. Pedro Feliciano gets the loss and LaTroy Hawkins gets the win. Valverde earned his 33rd save.

The final game of the series is tomorrow at 7 p.m. Mike Pelfrey (12-8, 3.86 ERA) will take on Brian Moehler (9-4, 3.87).

Mike Gavin here for another night of Mets baseball.

Never fix what isn't broken. With the success the Mets have been experiencing lately, changing their lineup would be like Michael Phelps altering his swimming stroke for the next Olympics. Jerry Manuel originally gave the impression that Luis Castillo would not only be activated tonight, but also start at second base. With the best interest of team chemistry in mind, Manuel opted against tinkering with success, and will stick with the Argenis Reyes and Damion Easily platoon at second until September.

The Mets look to extend their winning streak to five as John Maine opposes Brandon Backe and the Houston Astros in the second game of a four game series at Shea. First pitch is just minutes away......

Top of the 1st: Maine strikes out the first two batters, and Wright makes a nice play on a grounder to end the inning. With the way Santana and Pelfrey are pitching, Maine can really solidify the rotation if he remains consistent.

Bottom of the 1st: Mets go down in order.

Top of the 2nd: The Astros strike first as Lance Berkaman led off with a double and was singled home by Geoff Blum. Astros 1, Mets 0.

Bottom of the 2nd: No signs of life for the Met's bats yet. They go down 1-2-3.

Top of the 3rd: Maine's night may be nearing an end as he allows an RBI-single to Miguel Tejada followed by a three-run home run to Berkman. Astros 5, Mets 0.

Bottom of the 3rd: With three innings in the books the Mets are yet to have a baserunner. The Curse of Luis Castillo is upon them.

Top of the 4th: Maine settles down and escapes without further damage. The breaks have been going the Mets way the past few weeks, they made need a few to get back in this game.

Bottom of the 4th: Perfect game through four innings. Backe is consistently getting ahead of batters and is showing good movement on his pitches. He hardly resembles a man with an ERA over five.

Top of the 5th: David Wright makes a beautiful running backhanded play and managed to make the throw to first as his momentum carried him into foul territory. He may have bought Maine some time with that play.

Bottom of the 5th: Through four innings Brandon Backe looked as if his name deserved to be alongside those of Cy Young, Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax, Roger Clemens and all the other great pitchers in baseball history. But the Mets finally got to him as Daniel Murphy drew a walk to become the first Met baserunner. Ryan Church drove him home with the Mets first hit of the night. Perfect game, no-hitter, and shutout denied. Astros 5, Mets 1.

Top of the 6th: Duaner Sanchez relieves Maine after he allows a lead-off home run to Newhan and back-to-back singles. The Astros continues to pour it on against Sanchez as Tejada and Berkman hit RBI singles to add to the Astros lead. There hasn't been much to be dissapointed about for the Mets lately but Mama always said there would be days like these. Astros 8, Mets 1.

Bottom of the 6th: A Jose Reyes single is negated by a Argenis Reyes double-play to end the inning.

Top of the 7th: Joe Smith puts the Astros down in order for the first time since the first inning.

Bottom of the 7th: A Carlos Delgado single increases the Met's hit total from a whopping two to three. Sadly, there is nothing else to report.

Top of the 8th: Brian Stokes retires the Astros 1-2-3.

Bottom of the 8th: The sudden power-hitter Brian Schneider hits a two-run homer for the second consecutive day to life Backe from the game and cut the lead to 8-3. Mets had the opportunity to make things interesting but Delgado grounded out to second, stranding Reyes and Wright. Astros 8, Mets 3.

Top of the 9th: Yet another 1-2-3 inning for the Mets bullpen. Last chance for the Mets.

Bottom of the 9th: Church hits into a double-play to end a frustrating night. The Mets were due for a night like this. After a season of streaky baseball, their ability to bounce back from a loss of this nature rather than let it interupt their recent momentum may very well determine their playoff chances. Final Score: Astros 8, Mets 3.

Good evening Mets fans. Marcus Henry is back after a bit of a hiatus to take you through game one of this four-game set between the Mets and the Astros.

Mets (71-57) vs. Astros (64-63) 7:10

Starters: Johan Santana (11-7, 2.75 ERA) will take the mound for the Mets, while Roy Oswalt (11-8, 4.28) will stand on the hill for Houston.

Santana proved to the world why the Mets paid him so much money in his last start as he struck out seven in a three-hit shutout for his team in a 4-0 win over the Pirates. Santana is 3-0 with three no decisions in his last six starts and has given up just nine runs in his last 46.1 innings.

Oswalt was just as stellar in his last start as he struck out 10 and gave up just one hit in eight innings of scoreless baseball in Houston's 3-0 win over the Diamondbacks on August 17. Oswalt is 5-0 in his last seven starts and has given up just 13 runs in his last 41 innings.

News and notes: Ryan Church is back in the lineup for the first time since July 5 and will hit seventh. Robinson Cancel was sent down to make room.

Top 1st: Former Met Ty Wigginton flied out to deep rightfield for the first out. Mark Loretta singled to leftfield. Miguel Tejada flied out to short leftfield for the second out. Lance Berkman struck out to end an 11-pitch at bat and the inning.
Mets 0, Houston 0

Bottom 1st: Jose Reyes singled to rightfield. Reyes stole second base. Argenis Reyes moved Jose Reyes to third with a sacrifice bunt. David Wright hit a bloop single to short rightfield to score Jose Reyes. Mets lead 1-0. Its the fifth straight game the Mets have scored in the first inning. Carlos Delgado struck out swinging for the second out. Beltran struck out swinging to end the inning.
Mets 1, Houston 0

Top 2nd: Geoff Blum singled to short centerfield. Hunter Pence grounded into a fielder's choice, forcing Bum at second for the first out. Darin Erstand doubled off the glove of Beltran in centerfield. Blum moved to third. Brad Ausmus grounded out to shortstop for the second out. Pence could've scored but stayed at third even though Reyes was playing at normal depth. Oswalt struck out for the final out.
Mets 1, Houston 0

Bottom 2nd: Dan Murphy flied out to centerfield. Ryan Church, in his first at bat since July 5, reached on an infield single to third base. Brian Schneider hit a two-run homer to rightfield, scoring Church to give the Mets a 3-0 lead. Johan Santana struck out swinging for the second out. Jose Reyes grounded out to third to end the inning.
Mets 3, Houston 0

Top 3rd: Wigginton flied out to centerfield. Loretta walked. Tejada struck out swinging. Berkman singled to center. Loretta moved to second. Blum popped out to first to end the inning.
Mets 3, Houston 0

Bottom 3rd: Argenis Reyes grounded out to third. Wright popped out to second. Delgado grounded out to second for the final out.
Mets 3, Houston 0

Top 4th: Pence popped out to second. Erstad grounded out to short. Ausmus grounded out to short for the final out.
Mets 3, Houston 0

Bottom 4th: Beltran popped to the catcher in foul territory. Murphy grounded out to shortstop. Church grounded out to shorstop to end the inning.
Mets 3, Houston 0

Top 5th: Oswalt struck out swinging. Wigginton singled to left. Loretta popped out to shortstop. Tejada doubled down the leftfield line. Wigginton moved to third. Berkman grounded out to the pitcher to end the inning.
Mets 3, Houston 0

Bottom 5th: Schneider struck out swinging. Santana struck out swinging (put out 2-3). Reyes flied out to right centerfield.
Mets 3, Houston 0

Top 6th: Blum popped out to second base. Pence reached on a infield single to shortstop. Erstad flied out to rightfield. Ausmus flied out to deep centerfield to end the inning.
Mets 3, Houston 0

Bottom 6th: Argenis Reyes grounded out to first. Wright flied out to right. Delgado grounded out to the pitcher to end the inning.
Mets 3, Houston 0

Top 7th: Oswalt struck out looking. Wigginton singled to centerfield. Loretta flied out to short rightfield. Tejada grounded into a fielder's choice, forcing Wigginton at second to end the inning.
Mets 3, Houston 0

Bottom 7th: Beltran lined out to leftfield. Murphy struck out swinging (put out 2-3). Church grounded out to short for the final out.
Mets 3, Houston 0

Top 8th: Endy Chavez in leftfield and Aaron Heilman is pitching for the Mets. Berkman grounded out to second. Blum grounded out to thirdbase. Pence struck out swinging.
Mets 3, Houston 0

Bottom 8th: Schneider lined out to centerfield and was robbed of a hit by Erstad. Chavez flied out to leftfield. Jose Reyes grounded out pitcher to first base.
Mets 3, Houston 0

Top 9th: Ayala is pitching for the Mets. Erstad struck out swinging. Pinch-hitter Michael Bourn struck out swinging. Former Mets David Newhan grounded out to third base to end the game.
Final score: Mets 3, Houston 0

Santana picks up the win and improves to 12-7. Oswalt get the loss and falls to 11-9.
The Mets improve to 72-57 and Houston falls to .500, 64-64.

Game two is tomorrow night at 7:10.

Good evening Mets enthusiasts, Chris Mascaro here to bring you all of tonight's live game action, the first-place Metropolitans (70-57) look for a three-game sweep of the Braves (56-71).

For the Mets, who have gone 12-4 since getting swept in Houston at the beginning of month, it would be their fifth three-game sweep of the season. However, they are just 4-7 against Atlanta this season.

Last night, the Mets got off to a fast start and Mike Pelfrey did the rest, throwing a complete-game three-hitter for his