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Dodgers hope to have streaking Ethier in lineup against New York

May 6, 2011 - 2:49 PM (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Dodgers hope that Andre Ethier will be able to resume his quest for a 30-game hitting streak this evening when they open a three-game series against the New York Mets at Citi Field.

Ethier was a late scratch in Wednesday's 5-1 loss to the Cubs because of elbow inflammation. Because he did not appear at all in the game, his 29-game hitting streak remains intact and he hopes to return to action tonight.

"It's just sore. It's been sore the last couple of days," Ethier said. "It's more tender on the throwing than hitting. [Tuesday night] it was sore after the game."

Ethier is hitting .387 (43-for-111) over his hitting streak, which has tied Zack Wheat (1916) for the second-longest in club history. Willie Davis owns the club mark with a 31-game run during the 1969 season.

Washington's Ryan Zimmerman was the last player to have a 30-game hitting streak, doing so from April 8-May 12, 2009.

Los Angeles could use Ethier's bat after losing for the fourth time in five games on Wednesday. The Dodgers were also without closer Jonathan Broxton due to a right elbow ailment, while Juan Uribe is doubtful for this game because of a bruised left hand.

Getting the call this evening for the Dodgers is Hiroki Kuroda, who is 3-2 with a 3.10 earned run average through six starts.

Kuroda has yielded just two earned runs in each of his last three starts, earning a win over the Cubs on April 24. However, he did not factor into the decision of a 5-2 loss to San Diego on Saturday. The Japanese right-hander yielded the two runs and five hits over seven innings, striking out seven for a second straight start.

The 36-year-old Kuroda has made five career starts versus the Mets, going 1-3 with a 6.18 ERA. He has struggled in his career against both Jose Reyes (5- for-12, 1 RBI) and David Wright (6-for-12, 3 RBI).

Both Reyes and Carlos Beltran keyed the Mets to a 5-2 victory over the Giants on Thursday, helping the Mets avoid a three-game sweep and win for the second time in seven games. Reyes connected on a two-run triple and Beltran smashed a two-run homer.

"It feels great. Every time you contribute to help the team win offensively or defensively it's a great feeling. Most importantly when you win," said Beltran.

New York also had Jason Bay back in the lineup after he returned on THursday from a paternity leave.

The Mets will go with Jon Niese, who picked up his first victory of the season April 24 versus Arizona, but was outdueled by Roy Halladay in a 2-1 loss to Philadelphia on Saturday. The left-handed Niese gave up just two earned runs for a third start in a row over his 6 1/3 innings, falling to 1-4 with a 4.74 ERA in six starts this year.

"With a guy like him (Halladay) out on the mound, you've got to minimize the mistakes," Niese said. "Any mistake that costs you could potentially be the game."

Niese, 24, will face the Dodgers for the first time in his career tonight.

The Mets took four of seven from the Dodgers last season, winning all three games at Citi Field.