Thursday, July 31, 2008

Mets/Pelfry fall to Marlins, 7-5

Mike Pelfrey hadn’t lost in his previous 11 outing (the Mets were 10-1 in those games), so you’d feel comfortable sending him to the mound against the Marlins. Unfortunately Pelfrey had one bad inning last night. He surrendered two triples, two doubles and a single in the fourth when the Marlins scored 5 runs to take a 5-1 lead.

Pinch-hitter Damion Easley would bring the Mets to within a run with a three-run shot in the seventh inning to make it 5-4 but Dan Uggla increase the Marlins’ margin with a two-run dinger of his own in the bottom of the 8th off Joe Smith. The Mets would lose 7-5 and fall out of first place in the NL East ½ game back of the Phillies who topped the Nationals 8-5.

Pedro Martinez (3-2) will take the mound for the Mets in Houston on Friday night. He will be on a tight—and low—pitch count to protect his arm and groin strains and will be leaving the game early. Let’s hope the bullpen is up to the task.

Right-hander Brandon Backe (6-10) will start for the Astros.

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