New York Mets Back Brilliant Mike Pelfrey in Much-Needed Win

After losing 18-6 on Monday night, the Mets got a much-needed road victory over the San Diego Padres behind the spectacular Mike Pelfrey.

Pelfrey, who improved to 5-0 on the season, pitching after a Mets loss, pitched eight fantastic innings, allowing one run on four hits, walking two and striking out eight.

This game was more of a PETCO Park-esque game, with only four runs scored by the winning team, which the Mets were on this night.

It started out early, when the Mets scored a run off Padres' starter Wade LeBlanc on a David Wright RBI single in the first.

Pelfrey never got into any major trouble in this game, scattering some hits and walks throughout.

The most trouble he got into was in the sixth when he allowed a run-scoring double to the pesky David Eckstein, but that was after the Mets received a home run from David Wright in the top of the inning. The Mets led 2-1 after six.

In the seventh, Ike Davis added a two-run home run for the Mets, giving Mike Pelfrey a 4-1 lead.

Pelfrey would cruise through his final two innings of work and handed the ball to Francisco Rodriguez after eight brilliant innings and with a three-run lead.

Things got a little dicey in the ninth though for K-Rod. The Padres got a lead off double from David Eckstein once again, and he'd come around to score on a couple of base hits later on, cutting the lead to 4-2.

With Jerry Hairston up and with a 2-2 count, Rodriguez appeared to have struck him out, but the home plate umpire called it a foul tip, keeping the at-bat alive. K-rod would come back to strike him out anyway, and then struck out Chris Denorfia to end the game.

Padres' starter Wade LeBlanc, facing the Mets for the first time in his career, didn't pitch too badly. In five and two-thirds innings, he allowed two runs on seven hits, he walked and struck out four.

Pelfrey, on the other hand, with the win improved to 8-1 on the season, with a 2.39 ERA.

Jose Reyes saw his eight-game hitting streak come to an end, as he went 0-for-5, leading off all five times.

Ike Davis though got two hits and a home run, and David Wright continued his hot hitting with three hits and also a home run. Jeff Francoeur has been on fire on the road trip, as he recorded two hits.

So with the offense starting to click a little bit, the Mets head into tomorrow's finale in line for a series victory. They'll have a good shot with Johan Santana on the mound, facing Clayton Richard.

With the win, the Mets keep pace in the NL East standings with the first-place Atlanta Braves, still 3 1/2 games back, and gain on the Phillies for second place.


Series probable pitchers

June 2
New York: Johan Santana (2010: 4-2, 3.03 ERA) vs. San Diego: Clayton Richard (2010: 4-3, 3.00 ERA)


Upcoming schedule

New York Mets:
June 2 @ San Diego Padres
June 4-6 vs. Florida Marlins

San Diego Padres:
June 2 vs. New York Mets
June 4-7 @ Philadelphia Phillies