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Hernandez, Mets hope to avoid four-game sweep

Aug 30, 2007 - 1:50 PM NY Mets (73-59) at Philadelphia (70-62) 1:05 pm EDT

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The New York Mets are going to be happy to get out of Philadelphia. Before that, they will look to halt a season high losing skid.

Orlando Hernandez will take the mound as the Mets hope to avoid being swept in a four-game series by the hard-charging Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.

New York dropped a 3-2 decision to Philadelphia on Wednesday in controversial fashion as Marlon Anderson was called out for interference when he ran over Phillies second baseman Tadahito Iguchi trying to break up a game-ending double play in the ninth inning.

It was the fourth straight loss for the Mets, who saw their lead in the National League East reduced to three games over the Phillies.

To avoid being on the short side of another decision, New York turns to Hernandez (9-4, 3.07 ERA), who aims for his sixth straight winning decision.

The 37-year-old righthander has compiled a 2.87 ERA in 59 2/3 innings over his last nine starts, all wins by New York. However, the nine-year veteran is just 1-1 with a 6.48 ERA in five career starts vs. Philadelphia.

The Phillies counter with Kyle Lohse (7-12, 4.47), who is 1-0 in his last five appearances - four starts. The righthander has not figured into a decision in his last three starts, including a 4-3 loss to the San Diego Padres on Saturday in which he allowed a run and four hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Philadelphia can match its season high in consecutive victories at five with a win on Thursday.