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Pelfrey, Mets try to solve Phillies

Apr 9, 2008 - 1:41 PM Philadelphia (4-4) at NY Mets (2-4) 7:10 pm EDT

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) - Mike Pelfrey may not be the right candidate to help the New York Mets snap a nine-game losing streak to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Pelfrey makes his first start of the season on Wednesday when the Mets play the second game of a three-game set with the Phillies.

Considered the Mets' best young pitcher, the 24-year-old Pelfrey started 0-7 last season before finally picking up his first win on September 1.

Pelfrey also contributed to the Mets' September collapse when they blew a seven-game lead with 17 contests left, allowing the Phillies to claim their first National League East title since 1993.

The righthander went 1-1 with a 7.59 ERA as one of four pitchers to start in place of a hobbled Orlando Hernandez down the stretch. Pelfrey is getting another shot because Hernandez is on the disabled list, still recovering from foot surgery.

The Phillies spoiled the Mets' final home opener at Shea Stadium with a 5-2 win on Tuesday. It was the third straight loss for the Mets, who have not beaten Philadelphia since June 30.

"It's one straight loss (to the Phillies) in 2008," Mets third baseman David Wright said. "(Last season) is over with. This is a new team. The last three games were a gauge for us and we failed the test."

Kyle Kendrick (1-0, 7.20) makes his second start of the season for Philadelphia. Kendrick allowed four runs and eight hits in five innings of a 8-4 win over Cincinnati on Friday.