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Mets go for five straight vs. Astros

Aug 23, 2008 - 10:22 AM Houston (64-64) at NY Mets (72-57) 7:10 p.m. EDT

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- The New York Mets look to continue their hot streak when they take on the Houston Astros on Saturday.

The Mets have won 10 of 11 to take over the top spot in the National League East, moving 2 1/2 games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies.

John Maine (10-7, 3.82) takes the hill for the third time since returning from the disabled list. The righthander has not allowed a run in either appearance, but has only gone five innings in each start. He walked eight and allowed three hits during those10 innings, striking out nine.

In his career against the Astros, Maine is 3-0 in three starts with a 1.57 ERA, including a complete game shutout in July 2006.

Brandon Backe (7-12, 5.62) will look to bounce back from a terrible start on August 16 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He allowed nine hits, including three homers, and 11 runs in 5 2/3 innings. It was the second time in three starts that Backe had allowed 11 runs. He lasted 3 2/3 frames in an 11-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs on August 6.

Backe did not earn a decision in his only start against the Mets this season. The righthander allowed three runs and 10 hits in six innings, walking two and striking out four in a 7-3 Astros win.

Houston, who swept the Mets in a three-game set three weeks ago, have fallen back to .500 (64-64), 9 1/2 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers (74-55) in the NL wild-card race.