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Jul 24, 2010 - 6:27 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

New York (50-47) at Los Angeles (51-46), 4:10 p.m. EDT

A rare offensive outburst was just what the New York Mets needed to snap their latest losing streak.

Doing it again might be a bigger challenge.

The Mets will try to win consecutive games for the first time in a month when they continue their four-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday.

New York (50-47) ended a four-game slide by beating Los Angeles 6-1 Friday night after losing 2-0 a day prior in the series opener.

"It's not over yet," said ace Johan Santana, who allowed one run in seven innings Friday. "We still have to be consistent. That will be key in order for us to climb up."

The Mets, 6 1/2 games back of NL East-leading Atlanta, are trying to win back-to-back games for the first time since June 22-23. They're 9-17 since and 2-7 on this season-high 11-game road trip, during which they're hitting .194 while being held to four runs or fewer eight times.

New York hopes Mike Pelfrey (10-5, 4.01 ERA) can gain some inspiration from Santana's performance as he takes the mound trying to end a personal three-game losing streak.

"I'm just going through one of the worst stretches of my life," said Pelfrey, who has a 15.30 ERA during his skid.

The right-hander turned in the worst start of his career Monday, giving up six runs and seven hits while throwing 74 pitches in 1 1-3 innings of a 13-2 loss at Arizona.

Manager Jerry Manuel feels Pelfrey's problems are mental and feels he needs to regain trust in his fastball.

"He's not a finesse pitcher, he's not a trick guy," Manuel said. "He's a power, sinker guy, and that's what he's got to get back to."

Pelfrey is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in two starts - both at home - against the Dodgers.

Los Angeles is also struggling at the plate, batting .228 during a 2-7 stretch. The club managed five hits Friday, while also committing two errors with one scoring a run.

Manager Joe Torre continues to shuffle pitchers in and out of the No. 5 spot in the rotation, and will give the ball to Carlos Monasterios (3-2, 3.61) after moving James McDonald back to the bullpen.

"The only other option on the club right now was J-Mac, and we just think we need his ability in the bullpen," Torre told the team's official website.

Torre expects Los Angeles to add a pitcher before next Saturday's non-waiver trade deadline in an effort to make a run at the playoffs.

"I think something will be done," Torre said. "I don't know what it is. It's no secret we're trying to figure out the pitching staff - bullpen or starter. Go to that area first, and see if we can accomplish something that makes sense."

Monasterios gets a chance to stake his claim to a spot in the rotation as he gets his first start since giving up six runs and eight hits in four innings of a 10-6 loss at Boston on June 18.

The rookie right-hander has struggled in six starts, going 2-2 with a 5.40 ERA. He's been much better in 14 relief appearances, posting a 1-0 record and 1.75 ERA.

He made his only appearance against the Mets in relief, tossing two scoreless innings April 27.