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Harvey, Wainwright cap series at Citi Field

Jun 13, 2013 - 2:30 PM (Sports Network) - It will be a battle of aces in the finale of a three-game series on Thursday afternoon at Citi Field, where the New York Mets will host the St. Louis Cardinals.

The hosts pulled even in the series with a 5-1 win on Wednesday and will start youngster Matt Harvey, who's still unbeaten through his initial 13 starts of the season.

The Connecticut native won his first four starts and was carrying a 0.93 earned run average through 29 innings, but he's since won just once in nine starts while the ERA has swelled slightly to 2.10.

Harvey tossed six innings of one-run ball in his most recent outing on June 8 against the Miami Marlins, but got a no-decision in the Mets' 2-1 loss.

His last victory was May 17 against the Chicago Cubs.

In one career start against the Cardinals, he was beaten after allowing three runs on six hits in five innings.

For St. Louis, righty Adam Wainwright will make a first bid to become the majors' first 10-game winner of 2013.

The native of Georgia has won four consecutive starts since a 5-2 loss to the Mets in St. Louis on May 16, including a 9-2 victory at Cincinnati in his last start on June 7.

In that game, Wainwright allowed two runs on seven hits in seven innings and struck out seven batters.

Against the Mets, who have beaten him in four of five career decisions, he allowed four runs in six innings - which pushed his career ERA against them to 7.29 in 33 1/3 innings.

Wainwright has been successful away from home this season, winning six of seven decisions in eight starts.

On Wednesday, Lucas Duda homered and knocked in two runs to lead the Mets to a 5-1 win.

David Wright and Marlon Byrd also hit solo shots for the Mets, who snapped a three-game losing streak.

Dillon Gee (5-6) pitched 6 2/3 solid innings, giving up one run on six hits and two hits while striking out seven. He has allowed just one run in each of his last three starts.

"(We were) able to jump on them early and just allow Dillon to go out there and pound the strike zone," Wright said. "The key is always good starting pitching, and we got that tonight."

Allen Craig's home run was the lone score for the Cardinals. Shelby Miller (7-4) had 10 strikeouts, but surrendered a career-high four runs and five hits, including two homers, over six innings.

"He only gave up five hits, but they counted for four runs," manager Mike Matheny said. "It was another pitcher who had a lot going against him early and kept his composure and gave us a chance."

St. Louis won three of four in that series from May 13-16.