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Mets-Giants Preview

May 17, 2009 - 1:53 AM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

New York (20-15) at San Francisco (18-17), 8:05 p.m. EDT

The New York Mets found out Saturday that they'd be without the injured Carlos Delgado for a while, a loss that would seem to leave a big hole in the middle of their lineup.

The San Francisco Giants can attest New York will be just fine without him.

Led by their surging offense, the Mets will look to complete their first four-game sweep in San Francisco on Sunday night as they also try to win for the 12th time in 14 games.

Delgado hit .423 with a homer and seven RBIs as the Mets (21-15) averaged more than six runs during a seven-game winning streak from May 4-10, but the first baseman hasn't played since due to an impingement of his right hip.

On Saturday, the 36-year-old Delgado was placed on the disabled list retroactive to Monday, and he may remain there well longer than 15 days.

The Mets, though, have pushed ahead without Delgado by averaging 6.3 runs over their last six games. Carlos Beltran and David Wright had three RBIs apiece as New York won 9-6 on Saturday.

The Mets have never swept a four-game set in San Francisco, and this is their 19th series of at least four games in the Bay Area since 1962.

They'd feel better about their chances of doing it for the first time if Jose Reyes, who hasn't started a game in the series due to stiffness in his right calf, can return Sunday. He's day-to-day.

Even without Reyes' 11 stolen bases, New York has swiped 13 so far in the series.

"The key for us is to try and manufacture runs," manager Jerry Manuel said. "With the way we've been running, it creates a diversion for the opposition that they have to start paying attention to us a little bit."

Beltran and Wright have stolen seven bases while driving in 12 runs thus far in the series, but New York's offense has a better chance of continuing to click if Gary Sheffield can help make up for the loss of Delgado. The newest member of baseball's 500-home run club is 9 for 18 with a homer in four starts in the Mets' cleanup spot.

San Francisco will try to avoid its first five-game skid at AT&T Park since June 3-15 by sending Matt Cain (3-1, 3.00 ERA) to the mound. Cain was 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in four April starts, but has gone 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA in his past three outings.

Cain didn't earn a decision Tuesday, when he gave up four runs and nine hits over seven innings in a 9-7 win over Washington.

The right-hander is 2-3 with a 5.23 ERA in five career starts against the Mets. He gave up five runs over five innings on June 4 - including a two-run homer to Reyes - in a 5-3 home loss to New York.

Mike Pelfrey (4-0, 4.89) will get the ball for the Mets. The right-hander didn't get a win in his last start, though it was his most effective of the year as he limited Atlanta to two runs and six hits over seven innings Tuesday in New York's 4-3, 10-inning win.

Pelfrey's only career start against the Giants (18-18) was a memorable one. He gave up three singles over seven innings in a 7-0 win at Shea Stadium on July 8.