• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Mets attempt rebound from first loss in 11 games

Jul 19, 2008 - 10:17 AM CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- The New York Mets spent the better part of three months trying to recapture first place in the National League East. Upon getting there, they gave up their share.

The Mets will attempt to rebound from their first loss in 11 games on Saturday as they continue their four-game set with the Cincinnati Reds.

On April 19, New York owned a half-game lead in its division, but promptly dropped its next three games. Over the following three months, the Mets fell as far back as 7 1/2 games behind Philadelphia in the standings in June before using a 10-game winning streak to pull even with the Phillies after a 10-8 win over the Reds on Thursday.

However, Bronson Arroyo tossed eight strong innings as Cincinnati ended New York's run on Friday with a 5-2 win.

On Saturday, Oliver Perez (6-5, 4.44 ERA) will eye the start of another winning streak while continuing his string of solid starts. In a 2-1 victory over Colorado on July 11, the lefthander did not factor into the decision, overcoming six walks over six innings, but allowing one run and two hits with seven strikeouts.

The outing was the latest in strong starts for Perez, who has struck out 21 in 20 innings over his last three starts.

The Reds will counter with Josh Fogg (1-2, 7.94), who is still in search of his first win since April 9. On July 11, the righthander did not figure into the decision after allowing three runs and one hit with a season-high six strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings in a 3-2 win over Washington.