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Stokes makes spot start as Mets seek third straight win

Aug 9, 2008 - 10:16 AM Florida (61-54) at Ny Mets (61-55) 7:10 pm. EDT

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- The New York Mets hope John Maine only misses one start. In the meantime, Brian Stokes will try and hold down the fort.

Stokes will make a spot start for the Mets when they shoot for a third straight win on Saturday against the Florida Marlins.

New York pulled to within a game of the National League East-leading Philadelphia Phillies (61-53) on Friday as Oliver Perez tossed seven scoreless innings and David Wright homered in a 3-0 victory over Florida. It was the second straight win for New York, which leapfrogged the Marlins for second place.

The Mets can only wish for that type of performance from Stokes, a 30-year-old journeyman who is starting because Maine is on the 15-day disabled list with a strained rotator cuff.

Stokes last started for Tampa Bay in 2006, when he went 1-0 with a 4.88 ERA in five games. A converted reliever, Stokes has a career mark of 3-7 with a 6.46 ERA in 64 games - all with Tampa Bay. The righthander went 10-8 with a 4.41 ERA in 23 games with Class AAA New Orleans of the Pacific Coast League.

With Stokes on the hill, the Mets' struggling bullpen will need to step up. New York's bullpen is in the bottom third of the league in ERA (4.23) and has gone to a closer-by committee approach with All-Star Billy Wagner on the DL. Aaron Heilman, who has been under fire all season, picked up the save on Friday.

The Marlins, who took two of three from the Mets in Miami last week, will look to take advantage.

Scott Olsen (6-6, 3.87 ERA) gets the ball for Florida, which trails Philadelphia by 1 1/2 games. The lefthander was terrific in his last start but did not receive a decision in a 3-2 loss to Colorado. In that game, Olsen allowed one hit in six innings, but was denied the win when Colorado rallied for three runs in the final three frames.

Olsen, who is winless in his last three starts, is 0-1 with a 5.06 ERA in two starts vs. New York.