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Pelfrey aims to rebound as Mets host Rockies

Apr 11, 2011 - 3:06 PM (Sports Network) - Mike Pelfrey became the New York Mets' ace by default when it was learned that Johan Santana would be out until at least the All-Star break, but the right-hander hasn't looked much the part in his first two starts.

A return home to face the Colorado Rockies could jump start Pelfrey as he takes the hill for tonight's opener of a four-game series at Citi Field.

Pelfrey was moved up in the rotation with Santana out due to a left shoulder injury. The 27-year-old has struggled at the onset of 2011 however, getting tagged for 11 earned runs in just 6 1/3 innings.

The Wichita State product took a loss on April 1 at Florida after yielding five runs over 4 1/3 innings, then only lasted two-plus innings at Philadelphia five days later. Pelfrey was blasted for seven runs, six of those earned, on eight hits, but got a no-decision when the Mets rallied to tie things before an eventual 10-7 loss.

"It sucks for the bullpen to have to pick up six innings," a frustrated Pelfrey said. "I definitely got to do better. I screwed around too much with too many sliders and curveballs."

The ninth overall pick of the 2005 draft did go 10-3 with a 2.83 earned run average in 19 home starts last year and also did very well versus the Rockies, winning both of his starts against them while failing to allow a run over 14 total innings. In his career, Pelfrey is 5-2 with a 2.63 ERA in seven starts when facing Colorado.

New York will need Pelfrey to go deeper into his games after the bullpen struggled in Sunday's 7-3 loss to the Nationals in 11 innings. Starter Chris Young gave up just a run, one hit and two walks over the first seven innings, but the bullpen yielded a pair of runs in the eighth and another four in the 11th frame, including a three-run homer to Laynce Nix.

"It's always tough to take a guy out when he's pitching great," said Mets manager Terry Collins about the decision to lift Young after 108 pitches. "His past indicates that he begins to fatigue at that 100-pitch mark and he's had shoulder problems. He got us to the eighth inning. It's a shame we couldn't win it for him."

New York, which stranded two runners on base in the bottom of the 10th inning, has lost four of five and added two arms to its struggling relief group after the game. Getting recalled were Jason Isringhausen, who hasn't pitched in the majors since 2009, and Ryota Igarashi, while Blaine Boyer was designated for assignment and outfielder Lucas Duda optioned to Triple-A Buffalo. Boyer was tagged with the loss on Sunday.

While the Mets fell to 4-5 on the season, the Rockies are off to a 6-2 start after taking three of four from the Pirates to begin an eight-game road trip. Colorado edged out a 6-5 win on Sunday, getting a game-tying RBI single from Jason Giambi before Seth Smith walked with the bases loaded two batters later to force in the go-ahead run.

Jose Lopez added a three-run homer for the first-place Rockies.

"We've learned over the course of the last two years how important these (games) in April and May show up in September," said closer Huston Street, who earned his fourth save of the season with a perfect ninth inning.

Jason Hammel gets the call for the second time this season tonight for the Rockies. The right-hander made his debut last Wednesday versus the Dodgers and got the win, but gave up four runs on six hits and three walks over five innings.

"I actually won that game, that's pretty crazy," Hammel said. "It definitely was not my best but I made pitches when I needed to and we came out on top."

The 28-year-old Hammel is winless in two career starts against New York with a 9.72 ERA. He faced them just once last year, taking a loss on Aug. 12 at Citi Field after allowing four runs over seven innings.

These two clubs split their six meetings a season ago, with the Mets winning two of three at home.