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Glavine makes final start before playoffs

Sep 30, 2006 - 2:45 PM NY Mets (95-65) at Washington (71-89) 7:05 pm EDT

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Tom Glavine will look to continue his strong play as he makes his last start before the playoffs.

The veteran lefthander will take the mound for the New York Mets in the second game of the season-ending series against the Washington Nationals on Saturday.

Glavine (14-7, 3.94 ERA) has won two of his last three decisions and has been the ace of the staff all season. He will look to redeem himself from his previous start, when he gave up four runs - three earned - and eight hits in six innings of a 7-3 loss to the Nationals last Sunday.

He faces rookie Beltran Perez (2-0, 1.50), who has been sensational over his previous two starts. In his last outing against the Mets, he allowed two runs and four hits in 6 1/3 innings of a 7-3 win.

John Maine allowed four runs - three earned - and three hits in six innings of a 4-3 victory in the opener on Friday. Shawn Green came off the bench in the eighth inning to hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly that snapped a tie.

Washington has lost two of its last three games by a combined two runs and looks to bounce back with a strong effort for manager Frank Robinson, who will likely not return next season.