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Diamondbacks-Mets Preview

Aug 1, 2010 - 4:37 AM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

Arizona (38-65) at New York (52-51), 1:10 p.m. EDT

The New York Mets didn't make any moves at the trading deadline despite a tough month of July, but they'll head into August with one welcome new addition - a win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

A walk-off victory helped the Mets snap their four-game skid to the last-place Diamondbacks, and they'll try for rare back-to-back victories Sunday afternoon at Citi Field against new Arizona acquisition Daniel Hudson.

New York (53-51) stood pat on Saturday even though it's chasing Atlanta and Philadelphia in the NL East, but it was a new face of sorts that helped it finally put away the pesky Diamondbacks (38-66). Jesus Feliciano, called up Friday when the Mets put Jason Bay on the disabled list, tripled to lead off the bottom of the ninth and scored on Carlos Beltran's sacrifice fly in a 5-4 win.

It was the sixth victory in 20 games for New York, which trails the first-place Braves by 6 1/2 games.

"Obviously, there's 30 teams out there trying to improve themselves," said third baseman David Wright, who recently acknowledged the Mets could use some help. "If we would have gotten somebody, great. But we can't hang our heads. We've got to find a way with the guys we have in here."

Arizona, on the other hand, was very busy executing deals over the past week. The Diamondbacks on Saturday sent catcher Chris Snyder and a prospect to Pittsburgh for former New York outfielder Ryan Church, shortstop Bobby Crosby and reliever D.J. Carrasco, who gave up a two-run double to Wright in his Arizona debut.

That deal was minor compared to the trades that sent away Dan Haren and Edwin Jackson for prospects earlier in the week, but Arizona will get to see perhaps the most promising piece of its haul Sunday. Hudson (0-0, 0.00 ERA) was among the White Sox's top prospects, finishing 2009 in the majors after beginning in the low minors.

"There is no reason, whether through physical stuff or minor league performance, to suggest that he's not going to grow into a pitcher that can fit into the top half of a major league staff," interim general manager Jerry Dipoto told the Diamondbacks' official website.

Hudson was 1-1 with a 6.32 ERA in three starts with Chicago this season.

Arizona has lost 25 of 30 on the road, averaging 2.8 runs, so run support could be an issue for the rookie right-hander.

Justin Upton, though, has been doing his part to contribute. The former No. 1 overall draft pick extended his hitting streak to 16 games and had three RBIs Saturday.

Upton had two hits in three at-bats July 21 against Jon Niese (7-4, 3.43), who gets the ball looking to lead the Mets to their first consecutive wins since June 22-23 against Detroit.

Niese was charged with three runs over five innings last month versus Arizona in a 4-3, 14-inning loss. All came via the home run, as Chris Young, Mark Reynolds and Rusty Ryal took him deep.

The left-hander bounced back nicely Tuesday against St. Louis, this time getting some early support after the Mets totaled four runs in his last three outings. Niese held the Cardinals to a run and seven hits over six innings while outdueling Adam Wainwright in an 8-2 victory.

"Whenever I get a lead like that," Niese said, "it's a lot easier to pitch."

Niese is 3-2 with a 2.09 ERA over his last six starts.