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Hernandez makes first home start vs. Washington

Apr 14, 2007 - 2:08 PM Washington (2-9) at NY Mets (7-3) 1:10 pm EDT

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- The New York Mets relied on one of their ageless veterans on Friday. On Saturday another elder statesman will be counted upon to come through.

Orlando Hernandez takes the mound as the Mets continue their three-game set with the Washington Nationals on Saturday.

Hernandez will attempt to follow the heroics of 48-year-old Franco with some of his own. Franco drove in a run with a pinch-hit single in the seventh inning that gave New York a 3-2 win on Friday.

Meanwhile, Hernandez (1-0 1.38 ERA), 37, makes his first home start of the season. He is coming off a no-decision against Atlanta in which he allowed just one run and two hits with six strikeouts in six innings, in a 3-2 loss on Sunday. The righthander won his first start against St. Louis, 4-1, by allowing just one run and two hits in seven innings on April 3.

Hernandez has enjoyed pitching at Shea Stadium throughout his career. The veteran has a 2.61 ERA at Shea, his lowest ERA at any park in which he has pitched at least 75 innings.

Shawn Hill get the start for the Nationals and will try and slow down a Mets lineup that averages 5.8 runs.

Hill (0-2, 3.09), has had no luck so far this season, as he pitches for one of the worst teams in baseball. The Nationals have yet to string together back-to-back wins.

Hill has allowed just two runs in both of his starts in which he pitched 5 2/3 and six innings respectively. In his last start, a 3-1 loss to Arizona, the righthander allowed just two runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings on Sunday.