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Banks, Padres aim to cool off Mets

Jun 5, 2008 - 2:27 PM NY Mets (30-28) at San Diego (23-37) 10:05 pm. EDT

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Rookie Josh Banks takes the hill looking to extend his scoreless innings streak when the San Diego Padres open a four-game series with the New York Mets on Thursday.

The 25-year-old Banks (2-0, 0.00 ERA), who was claimed off waivers from Toronto on April 23, has not allowed a run in his first 17 innings - eight of which have come in relief. In his second career start, Banks threw a six-hitter in a 5-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.

Prior to that, the righthander threw six scoreless innings in relief to earn the win in a 12-9, 18-inning victory over the Cincinnati Reds on May 25.

Banks faces a red-hot Mets team that has won seven of nine. Jose Reyes, who had his 18-game hitting streak snapped on Tuesday, fell a triple shy of the cycle as New York posted a 5-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday.

New York sends Mike Pelfrey (2-6, 4.98) to the hill. Pelfrey had lost six straight starts before he failed to receive a decision in a 3-2 win over Los Angeles on Sunday. The righthander allowed two runs and seven hits in seven innings after posting a 6.47 ERA over his previous six outings.

Sunday's performance saved Pelfrey from being demoted to the minors when Pedro Martinez was activated from the disabled list. Now the 24-year-old will try and record his first win since April 20.