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Pelfrey still searching for first win, faces Nationals

Jul 28, 2007 - 1:33 PM Washington at NY Mets 7:10 pm EDT

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- Mike Pelfrey looks for an elusive first win of the season in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader with the Washington Nationals.

Pelfrey (0-7, 6.12 ERA) will be called up from Class AAA New Orleans to make his first start since July 6.

The 24-year-old righthander gave up four runs and seven hits in six innings in a 4-0 loss at the Houston Astros in his last start. He also surrendered a run and two hits in 1 1/3 innings of relief on July 13.

Pelfrey, who has not won in the majors since beating the Cincinnati Reds on July 18, 2006, has not let his problems with the Mets affect his grooming in the minors. He is 3-3 with a 3.79 ERA in 10 starts between two levels.

The Mets have lost two straight after former pitcher Mike Bacsik held them to two runs and six hits in six innings in a 6-2 loss in Friday's opener.

Carlos Beltran sat out his third straight game with a strained abdominal muscle and Lastings Milledge continued to start in his place.

Milledge and his teammates will take their swings against Joel Hanrahan (NR), who is will make his major league debut for Washington, which has won 10 of its last 16 games.

Hanrahan is filling in for Jason Bergmann, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with hamstring injury on Friday. Hanrahan is 5-4 with a 3.70 ERA for Class AAA Columbus.