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Mets-Pirates Preview

Aug 22, 2010 - 4:11 AM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

New York (61-61) at Pittsburgh (40-82), 1:35 p.m. EDT

After bad weather helped extend the Pittsburgh Pirates' latest losing streak, Johan Santana will try to do the same.

The New York Mets will have their ace on the mound Sunday in Pittsburgh as they look to complete their first series sweep in more than two months.

While the Mets (62-61) have already clinched their first road series victory over an NL opponent all season, the results this weekend have been more typical for Pittsburgh.

The Pirates' fifth consecutive loss - the 12th defeat in their last 13 games - was called in the top of the sixth inning due to rain Saturday night with New York leading 5-1. The Mets' 7-2 win in the series opener had already assured the Pirates of their 18th consecutive losing season, extending the longest such streak in North American pro sports history.

Pittsburgh (40-83) has provided little reason for optimism lately, scoring two or fewer runs nine times in its last 10 games.

That trend may be difficult to snap against Santana (10-7, 2.97 ERA), who has held opponents to one or zero runs in seven of 10 starts since July 1.

The left-hander had thrown 16 1-3 consecutive scoreless innings entering his outing Tuesday, but two homers by Hunter Pence - including a three-run shot in the first inning - provided all of Houston's offense in New York's 4-3 loss.

"A little struggle there at the beginning ... and then settled in and pitched very well," manager Jerry Manuel said of Santana, who allowed all four runs but lasted eight innings. "We felt very good with him going back out there."

Manuel likely feels the same way about Sunday. Santana is 2-1 with a 1.88 ERA in five career outings against Pittsburgh, including a three-hit shutout at PNC Park on Aug. 17, 2008.

The Pirates counter with their own southpaw as Zach Duke (5-12, 5.33) tries to avoid a ninth loss in 12 starts.

Duke could move into a tie for the major league lead in losses, although Baltimore's Kevin Millwood and Philadelphia's Roy Oswalt will each be trying to avoid his 14th defeat Sunday.

Although Duke hasn't gotten any run support in his last two starts, he would have needed plenty Tuesday, when he allowed five runs in 5 2-3 innings of a 6-0 loss to Florida.

"I started leaving the ball up, and when you do that, obviously, you pay for it," Duke said. "I'm just going to try to erase that start from my memory."

Duke has often pitched well against the Mets, going 3-1 with a 3.20 ERA in six career starts, but New York's offense has broken out of its slump this weekend.

The Mets have totaled 12 runs in 14 innings at Pittsburgh, equaling the total from their previous six games. Jose Reyes is 5 for 9 in this series, while David Wright had three hits Friday and a three-run homer Saturday.

Hitting coach Howard Johnson had stern words for his players before the series opener, although it may also help that the Pirates are 29th in the majors with a 5.08 ERA.

"It wasn't like HoJo gave us any great words of wisdom," Wright said. "We've just started swinging the bats better."

New York is going for its first sweep since it won three at Cleveland from June 15-17. That was part of an eight-game winning streak - also the last time the Mets won three straight.