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Mets seek to maintain momentum against Padres

Aug 9, 2011 - 2:38 PM (Sports Network) - The New York Mets aim to build off last night's exciting finish versus the San Diego Padres with Tuesday's second test of a four-game series at Citi Field.

The Mets rallied for five runs in the last two innings and put up a three-spot in the bottom of the ninth for a 9-8 triumph in the series opener. David Wright had an RBI single and Lucas Duda was the hero with a two-run base hit to win it for the Mets, who prevailed for the second time in three games following a five-game losing streak.

Wright finished with two hits, two runs scored and three hits, while Duda went 3-for-5 with two RBI. Jason Bay homered for the 200th time in his career to extend his hitting streak to 10 games and owns 12 RBI in his past 13 contests.

"Just take the blows, play hard. I don't know what the outcome will be at the end, but (we have) to play with our heart, our gut, and play it out," Mets manager Terry Collins said postgame.

New York was without star shortstop Jose Reyes, who landed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring for the second time this season. Daniel Murphy joined him with a likely season-ending sprained knee.

Mike Pelfrey started for New York and gave up four runs and nine hits in 6 1/3 innings in the no-decision. Closer Jason Isringhausen threw a scoreless ninth to collect the win.

Chris Capuano draws the assignment for Collins' club tonight and he is 9-10 with a 4.44 ERA in 23 games (21 starts) this season. He is only 1-3 in his past four decisions and did not factor in the outcome of last Tuesday's 4-3 loss to Florida in which he allowed two runs in six innings.

The lefty is 3-5 in 10 home starts this season and will face San Diego for the eighth time in his career. In the first seven games (6 starts) against the Padres, Capuano is 4-2 with a 3.29 ERA.

San Diego's four-game winning streak came to an end last night and the bullpen was the reason for that. Starter Tim Stauffer gave up four runs in seven innings for the no-decision and Chad Qualls allowed two more runs in the eighth. Closer Heath Bell surrendered Duda's game-winning hit and was charged with three runs on four hits in just one-third of an inning.

"I made two bad pitches that really cost me," sad Bell.

Jason Bartlett drove in three runs and Jesus Guzman had a pair of RBI in a losing cause. Guzman has a nine-game hitting streak going for the Padres, who are 3-1 on a 10-game road trip.

Wade LeBlanc gets the nod for the Friars tonight and will make just his fifth start of the season. LeBlanc is 0-2 with a 4.98 ERA and has recorded back-to- back no-decisions. In his last start on July 31 versus Colorado, the Padres recorded an 8-3 win and LeBlanc was reached for three runs and nine hits in six innings of work. He was then sent to Triple-A Tucson the next day.

The lefty lost his only career start against the Mets last June 1.

San Diego and New York are meeting for the first time since splitting six matchups a year ago. The Padres, who will also visit Cincinnati for three games on this trek, have won seven of the previous 12 meetings with the Mets.