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Mets turn to rookie Humber to avoid sweep

Sep 26, 2007 - 1:20 PM Washington(71-87) at Ny Mets (87-70) 7:10 pm EDT

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- Rookie Philip Humber's first career start is coming at a critical time for the New York Mets.

Humber gets the ball on Wednesday as the Mets try and avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of the Washington Nationals. Austin Kearns hit his second three-run homer in as many days, and the Nationals survived a furious ninth-inning rally in a 10-9 win on Tuesday.

New York, which has been outscored 23-12 in the first two games of this series, desperately needs a good performance out of the untested Humber (0-0, 3.00 ERA).

The rookie will try and help the Mets maintain a two-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies (85-72) in the National League East. The 24-year-old righthander went 11-9 with a 4.27 ERA in 25 starts for Class AAA New Orleans and has made two appearances out of the Mets' bullpen.

Meanwhile, Washington has been a huge thorn in New York's side having won four of the last five meetings. Former Met Mike Bacsik (5-8, 4.76) makes the start in place of Shawn Hill, who needs surgery on his right forearm and left shoulder.

Bacsik last faced New York on July 27 and held them to two runs and eight hits in seven innings of a 6-2 win.