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Martinez aims to lead Mets to fifth straight win

Aug 16, 2008 - 10:09 AM Ny Mets (66-56) vs. Pittsburgh (55-67) 7:05 pm. EDT

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Pedro Martinez has had a tumultuous first half of the season, but is starting to round into form. The two-time Cy Young Award winner takes the hill on Saturday when the New York Mets aim for a fifth straight win against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The 36-year-old Martinez (3-3, 5.37 ERA) has had quite a rocky season. He did not make it through his first start due to a hamstring injury, and missed two months. Martinez also missed a start due to inflammation in his surgically repaired shoulder in July, and then left the team to be with his dying father.

Martinez has seemingly put the distractions behind him, and is ready to help the Mets in their bid return to the postseason. The righthander has posted a 3.12 ERA in his last three starts - a far cry from his 10.20 ERA in a three-start stretch in July.

On Monday, Martinez faced the Pirates and allowed one run and three hits in six innings. However, the bullpen allowed three runs in the ninth of a 7-5 loss. The three-time Cy Young Award winner is looking for his first win since July 7. He will look to take advantage of a Pirates team that has been struggling since trading its two best players.

Pittsburgh, which traded outfielders Xavier Nady to the Yankees and Jason Bay to the Red Sox, respectively, has averaged 2.5 runs over its last 10 games. The Pirates send Zach Duke (4-10, 5.10), who allowed five runs - three earned - and eight hits in six innings against the Mets on Monday. The lefthander is winless in his last 11 starts.

In Friday's opener, Mike Pelfrey threw seven scoreless innings and David Wright drove in a run as the Mets posted a 2-1 victory. The win helped them maintain a one-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies (65-57) for first place in the National League East.