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Phillies-Mets Preview

May 7, 2009 - 4:43 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Philadelphia (14-10) at New York (12-13), 7:10 p.m. EDT

The New York Mets' starting rotation has been a major a concern through the first four weeks of the season. Judging by the team's three-game winning streak, that doesn't appear to be the case anymore.

The Mets turn to Mike Pelfrey as they look to sweep a home series from the Philadelphia Phillies for the first time in almost 12 years Thursday night.

New York's rotation recorded a 5.36 ERA during the first 23 games, but its last three starting pitchers have powered the team's longest win streak of the season. John Maine, Livan Hernandez and Johan Santana combined for a 1.86 ERA as the Mets (13-13) swept two games from Atlanta and took the opener of another two-game set with Philadelphia.

Santana's outing Wednesday was the most impressive of the three, as he allowed two hits and struck out 10 in seven innings of a 1-0 win over the Phillies (14-11).

Pelfrey (3-0, 6.00 ERA) will try to keep the run going and give New York its first home sweep of Philadelphia since taking three games from May 30-June 1, 1997.

The right-hander is off to the best start of his career, although he labored in his last outing Friday. He gave up three runs and seven hits with four walks, throwing 104 pitches in 5 1-3 innings of a 7-4 road victory over the Phillies.

Pelfrey, though, helped himself by driving in two runs.

"My command wasn't where I wanted it to be," he told the Mets' official Web site.

Pelfrey is 2-2 with a 4.28 ERA in five starts against the Phillies, including a 1-1 mark and 3.00 ERA in two home starts.

He'll get the chance to help New York move above .500 for the first time since it was 6-5 following a 1-0 win over Milwaukee on April 18.

Wednesday's loss ended the Phillies' three-game winning streak as they committed a season-high three errors. Third baseman Pedro Feliz's errant throw on an infield single by Fernando Tatis in the seventh inning allowed the winning run to score for New York.

Philadelphia had a major league-low five errors entering this series.

"It's definitely frustrating. We've played great defense all year long," center fielder Shane Victorino said.

Victorino had a double Wednesday to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 15 games. He's batting .358 (24 for 67) with three homers and 15 RBIs during the stretch.

The Phillies' Jamie Moyer (3-1, 5.65) will make his first start at Citi Field after enjoying success at Shea Stadium, where he was 5-3 with a 2.26 ERA in 11 starts. The 46-year-old left-hander went 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA in three starts at Shea last season.

Moyer is 3-0 with a 5.32 ERA in his last four starts, with the Phillies winning all of them. He allowed five runs and seven hits with four walks in 5 2-3 innings against the Mets on Saturday, but Philadelphia won 6-5 in 10 innings.

The Phillies have scored 39 runs in Moyer's last four outings.

New York placed Oliver Perez on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday due to tendinitis in his right knee. The left-hander was the biggest culprit in the club's starting pitching issues, going 1-2 with a 9.97 ERA in five outings before being moved to the bullpen last week.