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Moehler, Astros look for series win vs. Mets

Aug 25, 2008 - 1:04 PM Houston (66-64) at NY Mets (72-59) 7:10 p.m. EDT

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- After another poor performance by their bullpen, the New York Mets hope for a big effort from Mike Pelfrey when they face the Houston Astros in the finale of a four-game series Monday.

The Astros hit a pair of home runs off Pedro Feliciano in the 10th inning en route to a 6-4 win on Sunday. As a unit, the New York bullpen has posted a dismal 5.79 ERA since the All-Star break.

Pelfrey (12-8, 3.86) will look to salvage a series split for New York, which had its lead over the Philadelphia Phillies (71-59) trimmed to one-half game in the National League East.

In his last start, the righthander did not need any help from the Mets' inconsistent bullpen. Pelfrey was brilliant on Wednesday, throwing a complete game in a 6-3 win over the Atlanta Braves.

The complete game by the 24-year-old was the first of his career.

The Astros counter with Brian Moehler (9-4, 3.87), who has been equally as reliable for Houston. A winner in his last five decisions, the Astros are 7-1 in his last eight starts. Moehler has also won his last four road starts, while posting a 2.31 ERA.

His last loss came on July 4 against the Braves, a start in which he surrendered five runs, six hits and a walk in six innings.

After sweeping a three-game series from New York in Houston on August 1-3, the Astros will look for another series win and improve to 20-8 over their last 28 games.