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Scorching hot Tatis, Mets look to keep rolling vs. Rockies

Jul 11, 2008 - 10:10 AM Colorado (39-54) at Ny Mets (48-44) 7:10 pm. EDT

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- The New York Mets hope Fernando Tatis continues his torrid pace as they seek their seventh straight win on Friday in the opener of a three-game series with the Colorado Rockies.

The 33-year-old Tatis had been out of baseball since 2006. He was invited to Mets training camp and was called up from Class AAA New Orleans in early May. Mostly known for being the only player to hit two grand slams in the same inning, Tatis is staging a career revival, providing several game-winning hits.

On Sunday, Tatis delivered a two-run homer in the 12th inning of a rain-delayed 4-2 win over the Phillies. He followed by belting a go-ahead, two-run homer and driving in four runs Thursday in a 7-3 victory over San Francisco. Tatis is hitting .500 (10-for-20) with three homers and seven RBI during the Mets' streak.

Tatis' surge could not come at a better time as the Mets are without Ryan Church (migraines) and Moises Alou (torn hamstring, out for the season).

The Mets will try for their first seven-game winning streak since August 17-24, 2006 against All-Star Aaron Cook (11-6, 3.66 ERA), who has had mixed success against them. Cook tossed a four-hitter against New York in Colorado on May 25, and then was tagged for six runs and 12 hits in seven innings here on June 20.

The Mets counter with Oliver Perez (6-5, 4.62), who is looking for a third straight solid start. The lefthander has allowed one run in his last 14 innings, while striking out 14. More importantly, the normally wild Perez, who issued a career-high eight walks to Colorado on May 23, has walked just nine in his last 32 frames.

Colorado, which has lost 15 of the last 17 meetings here, is coming off a four-game split with Milwaukee.