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Manuel's Mets aim to bounce back vs. Angels

Jun 18, 2008 - 1:27 PM LA Angels (43-29) 10:05 pm. EDT

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Jerry Manuel's debut with the New York Mets did not go well.

Manuel aims to record his first win as Mets' manager on Wednesday in the rubber game of a three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Manuel took the reins when Willie Randolph was fired early Tuesday morning. Randolph had been under intense scrutiny in the aftermath of last season's collapse and a mediocre start this season. But the first game without Randolph looked a lot like the previous 69.

The Mets committed two costly errors and were held to six hits by John Lackey in a 6-1 loss. Manuel also got into a rift with shortstop Jose Reyes after he removed the 25-year-old in the first inning due to a strained left hamstring. Reyes did not want to leave the game and angrily protested.

One of the reasons for the Mets' lackluster start to 2008 is Oliver Perez. A 15-game winner last season, Perez (5-4, 4.98 ERA) has been inconsistent this season, but is coming off a solid start. The lefthander allowed one run and three hits in seven innings of a 7-1 win over Texas on Friday.

Anaheim will counter with Jon Garland (6-4, 4.13), who is looking to bounce back from one of his worst starts. Garland, who pitched for Manuel with the Chicago White Sox, allowed five runs and 12 hits in 5 2/3 innings of a 5-2 loss to Atlanta on Friday.