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Lawrence and Mets happy to see Marlins in town

Aug 10, 2007 - 1:50 PM Florida (53-62) at NY Mets (64-50) 7:10 pm EDT

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- The New York Mets are glad the Atlanta Braves left town. They are even happier that the Florida Marlins just arrived.

The Mets look to hold onto their slim lead in the National League East when they open a three-game series with the Marlins on Friday.

New York attempted to rally from a 7-3 deficit in the ninth inning on Thursday, but fell short as Atlanta left fielder Willie Harris robbed Carlos Delgado of a game-tying home run to preserve a 7-6 win. The Braves (61-54) beat the Mets for the eighth time in 12 games and moved to within 3 1/2 games in the East.

Brian Lawrence (1-0, 5.40 ERA) takes the mound as the Mets try to get back on track against the Marlins, a club New York has beaten six times in eight meetings this season.

Lawrence made his first start since 2005 against the Milwaukee Brewers on August 2, allowing three runs and eight hits in five innings in a 12-4 win. Lawrence missed the 2006 season because of shoulder surgery.

Lawrence will be opposed by rookie Daniel Barone (NR), who will be called up from Class AAA Albuquerque on Friday. The 24-year-old Barone was 7-0 with a 4.09 ERA in 10 starts with Albuquerque after being promoted from Class AA Carolina.

Florida avoided being swept by the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday with a 4-2 win. The Marlins loaded the bases in the ninth against closer Brett Myers in a 2-2 game and scored two runs on groundouts by Alfredo Amezega and Hanley Ramirez.