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Journeyman Knight looks to help Mets keep cruising

Jul 26, 2008 - 10:14 AM St. Louis (57-48) at Ny Mets (56-47) 7:10 pm.

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- Brandon Knight will look to make the most of his first major-league appearance in six years on Saturday when he takes the hill for the New York Mets against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The 32-year-old journeyman is having quite a month. Aside from being named to the U.S. Olympic Team, Knight makes his first career start for the hottest team in baseball. Knight's opportunity has come because Pedro Martinez is in the Dominican Republic to be with his family following the death of his father on Wednesday.

Knight has also earned this shot. The righthander went 5-1 with a 1.60 ERA in 11 starts with Class AAA New Orleans. Knight, who last appeared in a major league game with the New York Yankees in 2002, hopes he can keep the Mets on the winning track.

Mike Pelfrey threw seven strong innings and Carlos Delgado smashed a two-run homer in Friday's 7-2 victory. Delgado has been a big reason the Mets have won 14 of 17. After a slow start, the 36-year-old first baseman has quieted his critics by hitting 390 with six home runs and 18 RBI in July.

Delgado and the Mets will look for more success against Joel Pineiro (3-4, 4.52), who is 1-1 with a 5.57 ERA in his last five starts.

Like Pineiro, St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols has been struggling. The 2005 National League MVP went 0-for-5 Friday, and is hitless in his last 11 at-bats.