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Resurgent Delgado, Pelfrey lead Mets vs. Marlins

Jul 30, 2008 - 10:11 AM Ny Mets (58-49) at Florida (56-51) 7:10 pm. EDT

MIAMI (Ticker) -- The gray in Carlo Delgado's goatee shows his age; earlier this season his play did as well. However, the slugger has quieted his critics over the last month and will look to help the New York Mets to their 17th win in 22 games on Wednesday against the Florida Marlins.

Delgado was scuffling along at .229 with 11 home runs and 35 RBI on June 26, and the New York tabloids were calling for him to be benched. One day later, he homered twice and shattered the franchise record with nine RBI in a 15-6 rout of the New York Yankees.

That seemed to be a turning point for Delgado, who has reverted to the 2006 form that saw him blast 38 home runs and lead the Mets to within one win of reaching the World Series. The 36-year-old is hitting .377 (17-for-45) with seven home runs and 17 RBI over his last 13 games.

On Tuesday, Delgado belted a two-run homer in the eighth inning of a 4-1 victory. The only other Met hotter than Delgado may be Mike Pelfrey (9-6, 3.67 ERA), who is looking to win his eighth straight decision. Pelfrey allowed one run and seven hits in seven innings of a 7-2 victory over St. Louis on Friday.

Delgado and Pelfrey will try and help the Mets maintain an one-half game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies (57-49) in the National League East. New York holds a two-game edge over Florida, which coincidentally is the last team to beat Pelfrey. The Marlins ripped the righthander for six runs - four earned - and six hits in four innings on May 26.

Florida counters with Josh Johnson (0-0, 3.71). Johnson has been impressive since returning on July 10 after missing almost a year following "Tommy John" surgery. Johnson allowed two runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 3-2 win over Chicago on Friday.