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Pelfrey looks to get back on track vs. Pirates

Aug 15, 2008 - 10:25 AM Ny Mets (65-56) at Pittsburgh (55-66) 7:05 pm. EDT

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Mike Pelfrey is probably glad to be facing a team other than the Florida Marlins.

Pelfrey aims to rebound from his worst start in more than two months on Friday when the New York Mets open a four-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Pelfrey (10-8, 4.11 ERA) was rocked for six runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings of an 8-2 loss to Florida on Sunday. Pelfrey, who won seven straight decisions from June 11-to-July 25, is 1-2 with a 7.98 ERA in his last three starts. Both of the losses came to the Marlins, who roughed him up for five runs and eight hits in four innings on July 30.

The 24-year-old righthander has never faced the Pirates, who beat the Mets on Monday in a makeup game at Shea Stadium.

He should receive plenty of support from a lineup that has scored 21 runs and pounded out 21 hits in the last two games.

Carlos Delgado homered and drove in two runs and Brian Schneider also homered as New York completed a three-game sweep of the Washington Nationals with a 9-3 victory on Thursday. The Mets (65-56) lead the Philadelphia Phillies (64-57) by one game in the National League East.

They will face Jason Davis (1-1, 1.38 ERA), who is making his second start since replacing an ineffective Yoslan Herrera. Davis allowed two runs and four hits in six innings, but did not receive a decision in a 6-3 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday.