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Maine and second-place Mets aim to stop five-game skid

Sep 29, 2007 - 1:14 PM Florida (70-90) at Ny Mets (87-73) 1:10 pm EDT

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) - The New York Mets are in danger of making history for all the wrong reasons.

In the midst of a historic collapse, the reeling Mets hope to stop a five-game losing streak Saturday when they face the Florida Marlins.

The Mets held a seven-game lead over Philadelphia in the National League East on September 12. But the Mets have squandered that advantage and now find themselves one game behind Philadelphia (88-72) with two games left.

New York fell out of first place for the first time since May 15 with Friday's 7-4 loss.

Maine (14-10, 4.07 ERA) will try and do his part to help New York avoid becoming the first team in history to fail to win the pennant after holding at least a seven-game lead on September 12.

The Mets need Maine to get back on track they are going to avoid their ninth straight loss here. The 26-year-old righthander has just two wins in his last 10 starts, and is 0-2 with a 8.24 ERA in four September starts.

Meanwhile, rookie Chris Seddon (0-1, 6.89) takes the mound for Florida, which is relishing playing the role of spoiler. The Marlins swept the NL Central champion Chicago Cubs earlier this week.

Seddon, who is making his seventh career start, allowed two runs and three hits in five innings against New York on Sunday. He opposed Maine in that start and did not receive a decision.