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Church, Mets open three-game set at Giants

Jun 2, 2008 - 2:32 PM NY Mets (28-27) at San Francisco (24-33), 10:15 pm EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- Ryan Church enjoyed his return to starting lineup and will look to build off his impressive performance Monday when the New York Mets visit the San Francisco Giants for the opener of a three-game series.

Church, who had not been in the starting lineup since suffering a concussion on May 20, had three hits - including a two-run homer - as the Mets cruised to a 6-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.

Carlos Beltran also blasted a two-run shot and David Wright added three hits and drove in a pair of runs for the Mets, who have won five of their last six contests.

Fred Lewis belted a two-run triple to tie the game in the 10th inning and came around to score on an infield base hit by Jose Castillo as the Giants rallied for a 4-3 triumph over the San Diego Padres on Sunday.

With the win, the Giants snapped their seven-game home losing streak and avoided a sweep at the hands of the Padres.

San Francisco will hope lefthander Jonathan Sanchez (3-3, 4.26 ERA) can help build off its first win at AT&T Park since May 13.

Sanchez yielded two runs over six innings during an 11-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

He will be opposed by fellow southpaw Oliver Perez (4-3, 4.83), who was tagged for five runs over six frames in Wednesday's 7-6 victory over the Florida Marlins.