Kuzul

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

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

After one of their worst losses in recent history, the Mets will hand the ball to their right-handed ace Mike Pelfrey tonight, looking for a rebound against the Padres. Pelfrey has not been Ubaldo Jimenez so far this season, but 7-1, 2.54 ERA isn’t too shabby.

The Mets really need to start winning some road games this season. Their road record of 7-17 is dreadful, and if they can’t win a couple with Pelfrey and Johan Santana on the mound, then something is up.

Last night’s 18-6 loss was one that just got away. Yes, Hisanori Takahashi was pretty bad for the first time, but after that, it all just fell apart. The bullpen got beat up and it just became a laugher for a rare time. The Mets must put this behind them and focus on winning games behind their two best pitchers over the next two days.

One part of the Mets’ game that didn’t struggle last night was the offense, which kept on hitting until things got out of hand. Jose Reyes kept up his hot hitting, recording a two-run triple, as he’s now 18 for his last 36 (.500).

Catcher Rod Barajas finally hit another home run, his 11th, and Jeff Francoeur continued to hit.

Meanwhile, Pelfrey has been brilliant his last three times out, all which have been wins, improving his record to 7-1 on the season.

His last time out on Thursday against the Phillies, he started the third game of the Mets shutout sweep. In seven innings, he allowed obviously zero runs on three hits, walked and struck out five.

Although, the same was said about Takahashi and it didn’t work out, Pelfrey shouldn’t have a problem pitching in this game. Well, maybe now he’ll be a little nervous after the eruption he saw from the Padres’ bats last night, but unlike Takahashi, Pelfrey is a young, first-round pick and shouldn’t be a fluke.

He’ll be going up against Wade LeBlanc of the Padres. In his first full season as a starter, LeBlanc has been impressive at times. He has an ERA of 3.71 with a 2-3 record, mostly because of the Padres’ lack of runs scored, discounting last night’s game.

If you want to think positively, then take note that the Padres don’t generally score 18 runs in a game. They did actually score 17 in their home opener against the Braves, but high-scoring games are an aberration for San Diego.

If the Mets don’t win this game, they will finish another road trip without a series victory. If indeed the Mets do have to wait for their next road trip for a series victory, they’ll have a good chance at getting one.

The Mets’ next road trip starts out in Baltimore and Cleveland, the two worst teams in the American League.

Mike Pelfrey vs. San Diego (career)
1-0, 4.08 ERA, 17.2 IP, 25 H, 6 BB, 7 SO

Wade LeBlanc this season (8 starts)
2-3, 3.71 ERA, 43.2 IP, 48 H, 17 BB, 31 SO

2010 season series (New York vs. San Diego)
May 31: San Diego 18, New York 6
Padres lead series 1-0

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SAN DIEGO– Was this Mets-Padres or Jets-Chargers? The Mets gave up 18 runs in last night’s loss, the most they have allowed in a game since 2004.

It may not seem right, but the Mets actually had a 1-0 lead in their 18-6 defeat, but what a disaster. The Mets thought they had a pretty good chance of winning this game, sending Hisanori Takahashi to the mound, who hadn’t allowed a run as a starter in his first two starts this season.

Takahashi gave up a shocking grand slam to Jerry Hairston in the second when it seemed he was getting out of trouble.

Takahashi gave up three straight hits to start the inning but then got two big outs against the eight and nine hitters. Hairston proceeded to hit a grand slam to deep left field where the old warerhouse is at PETCO Park, to give the Padres a 4-1 lead.

If you thought that was enough for a light-hitting Padres team, take another 14 runs—that’s without playing a ninth inning at home.

Takahashi gave up another two in the third, as the Padres extended their lead to 6-1, but the Mets would fight back a little bit.

In the fifth, the Mets would score three, to cut the deficit to 6-4, powered by a Jose Reyes two-run triple as he remains red-hot at the plate.

That wouldn’t mean too much for the Mets unfortunately, as their bullpen was horrendous, giving back four runs to the Padres in the fifth, making it 10-4.

Rod Barajas would hit a two-run home run in the sixth, as the Mets continued to fight back, only trailing at that point 10-6, but that’s as close as they would get. They were outscored 8-0 for the rest of the game.

The eight would come as follows: six runs in the sixth, and one each in the seventh and eighth innings. As for the Mets pitching, terrible is the nicest word to use. The Mets bullpen gave up 12 runs, including a shockingly bad outing out from Raul Valdes.

Valdes came in when the Mets were fighting back and gave up two consecutive bases loaded walks in the fifth.

Ryota Igarashi, who has been awful since his return from the Disabled List, gave up six runs (five earned) on four hits with two walks, and was the main culprit for why the Mets got blown out 18-6.

The positives, if any, were that the Mets offense kept fighting back until it got out of hand, and they just frankly gave up. The negatives? Well, you can figure that one out for yourself. Pitching, pitching, pitching.

So, you can obviously chalk this one up as one of those losses. They happen, but the Mets have to make sure it doesn’t happen again, at least not to the tune of 18 runs allowed.

They do have a glimmer of hope though to perhaps win this series, only because they’re sending their two top pitchers to the mound tomorrow, and Wednesday.

Tomorrow, it’ll be Mike Pelfrey for the Mets, trying to improve upon his 7-1 record. Wade LeBlanc will take the ball for San Diego.

Series probable pitchers:
June 1
New York: Mike Pelfrey (2010: 7-1, 2.54 ERA) vs. San Diego: Wade LeBlanc (2010: 2-3, 3.71 ERA)
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 1-2 @ San Diego Padres
June 4-6 vs. Florida Marlins

San Diego Padres:
June 1-2 vs. New York Mets
June 4-7 @ Philadelphia Phillies

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

After a trip that didn’t really go the way the Mets had hoped in Milwaukee, they will now play three at the National League’s best team (record-wise), the San Diego Padres.

No, that’s not a typo, the San Diego Padres at 30-20 own the NL’s best record and are tied with the Cardinals for the lowest team ERA in baseball at 2.95.

It has been some kind of season for San Diego, as they’ve quietly done a terrific job of winning games with a lineup that doesn’t strike a whole lot of fear. To prove that statement, the Padres are 26th in baseball in hitting with a .242 team batting average.

For the Mets, they may believe it or not have an advantage in this game.

First off, they’re playing in a park similar to their’s at Citi Field. PETCO Park has an extremely cavernous outfield, and is probably right with Citi Field as the two toughest hitting parks in baseball. The Mets at Citi Field this season are 19-9, so they should be used to playing fine baseball at these types of stadiums.

Also, they will be throwing Hisanori Takahashi, who hasn’t allowed a single run so far in his first two starts. In each of his starts against the Yankees and Phillies, he allowed zero runs on five hits.

These are two teams who arguably own the best lineups in baseball. So, for Takahashi, he shouldn’t have a problem pitching at a Citi Field-style ballpark and against a weak-hitting Padres team.

The Padres will pitch Kevin Correia. It is absolutely amazing that he’s even pitched to a 4.03 ERA and 4-4 record after the tragedy that happened to his brother, who lost his life falling off a cliff while hiking earlier in the season.

Correia hasn’t pitched as lights-out as his fellow starters, but a four ERA isn’t bad and especially after what he’s gone through, so it’ll still be a tough test for the Mets to try and hit him.

What’s happened, though, all of a sudden is, the Mets are starting to have guys come through in big ways offensively. Jose Reyes has been on a tear since May 22, going 17-for-33 (.515) through yesterday’s Mets win. Jeff Francoeur has possibly snapped out of his slump with a couple of good games in Milwaukee, including a four-hit game yesterday.

The big bat to look out for in the Padres’ lineup is Adrian Gonzalez, the first baseman. There were rumors going back to last season’s trade deadline that the Padres were interested in trading Gonzalez, perhaps to the Red Sox but that clearly won’t happen now with the Padres being a first-place team on Memorial Day.

So here we go, the first-place Padres and the hard-working Mets going at it for three in Southern California, starting on Memorial Day.

Can the Mets go back home having won two? That’s why we watch the games, and if they’d like to do that, it’ll behoove them to win tonight.

Hisanori Takahashi as a starter in 2010 (2 starts)
1-0, 0.00 ERA, 12 IP, 10 H, 1 BB, 11 SO

Kevin Correia vs. New York (career)
0-3, 1.63 ERA, 27.2 IP, 26 H, 7 BB, 21 SO

2009 season series (New York vs. San Diego)
Padres won series 5-2

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

It’s been a crazy year for the New York Mets. They will enter the month of June either 27-25 or 26-26, neither bad considering what their expectations were in spring training.

It will only get tougher for them and even strange as they play June baseball. Starting with Monday night’s game in San Diego, the Mets will play 27 games through June 30, all of which are fun, intriguing, and exciting in some way.

Games will include match-ups with a bunch of first place teams in both the NL and AL. From June 11-20, the Mets will play nine straight games in American League ballparks. Who will be the DH for those games? Chris Carter? Daniel Murphy? It may be Murphy’s only opportunity to play some games for the Mets without having to play a position and hurt the team defensively. At the same time, the Mets would love for him to get playing time to showcase his talents.

Their June schedule even takes them to Puerto Rico! It will be a crazy ride, and below is a breakdown of exactly what to look forward to in each June series for the Mets.

May 31-June 2 @ San Diego Padres

What’s the intrigue?

The San Diego Padres are shockingly in first place in the NL West with a record of 29-20 on Memorial Day.

What to watch for

The Mets haven’t been a good road team, we know that. But, going to Petco Park, the Mets will be playing in a stadium that’s similar to theirs, Citi Field. The Padres have some great pitching, but the Mets will be sending out their top three starters so far this season, Mike Pelfrey, Johan Santana, and Hisanori Takahashi. It would be impressive for them to win this series on the road against on of the NL’s best teams.

June 4-6 vs. Florida Marlins

What’s the intrigue?

The Florida Marlins are always a pest for the Mets and they proved that by sweeping them four games in Miami during their last meeting.

What to watch for

This series will mark the Mets return to Citi Field, where they have been dominant at 19-9. The Mets will be looking for revenge against the Marlins, who swept them in a four-game series at Sun Life Stadium. Plus, the NL East is so bunched up that these games will matter.

June 8-10 vs. San Diego Padres

What’s the intrigue?

It will be interesting to see how the Mets will do against the Padres at Citi Field a week after facing them in San Diego.

What to watch for

As it gets hotter and the season gets deeper, these are the kinds of games the Mets will have to win if they want to make a run at an NL playoff spot. The Padres are a pretty good team, and the Mets can earn a lot of respect by winning a series against a top NL club.

June 11-13 @ Baltimore Orioles

What’s the intrigue?

The Orioles have the worst record among all 30 Major League teams, but whenever inter-league kicks off, it’s still a sight to see. Plus, this will be the start of nine straight games for the Mets in AL parks.

What to watch for

There will be absolutely no excuse for the Mets to lose really any of the three games against the Orioles, no matter how bad they are on the road. The Orioles are 15-36, and besides Ty Wigginton, and some younger pitchers and position players, they’re hopeless. Look for some nice hitting from the Mets at the bandbox that is Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

June 15-17 @ Cleveland Indians

What’s the intrigue?

Just like the Orioles, the Indians are a pretty bad AL team. In fact, they have the second-worst record to the Baltimore Orioles. The Mets though haven’t been to Cleveland since 2002.

What to watch for

Although the Indians came back to beat the Yankees 13-11 on Saturday, they are also a hopeless team just like the Orioles. If the Mets can win at least four, or maybe even five games against the Orioles and Indians, it’ll help their road record out a bit, and propel them into the Bronx edition of the Subway Series.

June 18-20 @ New York Yankees

What’s the intrigue?

What’s the intrigue? Well, it’s Mets-Yankees again. After the Mets took the Flushing edition of the Subway Series, they’ll be looking to win four out of six and make a huge statement.

What to watch for

The Mets won two games from the Yankees at Citi Field, but this series will be at the New Yankee Stadium, where last season it kicked off with a game-ending Luis Castillo dropped pop-up. The Yankees are so dominant at home, so it’ll be interesting to see how the Mets will do and hit at yet another AL bandbox stadium.

June 22-24 vs. Detroit Tigers

What’s the intrigue?

This series will be the beginning of a tough week at Citi Field against the top two teams in the AL Central. The Tigers are in second with a record similar to the Mets at 26-23. They own one of baseball’s best bullpens.

What to watch for

At this point of the month and season, where will the Mets be? This will be a tough test for the Mets, and also a point where they will be figuring whether they will be buyers or sellers a month later. The Mets struggled the last time they faced the Tigers in 2007.

June 25-27 vs. Minnesota Twins

What’s the intrigue?

With a 29-20 record and first place in the AL Central, the Twins will enter with the M&M boys (Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau). The Twins always have trouble beating the other New York team, how will they fare in this series?

What to watch for

This will be a make-or-break home stand for the Mets. They will either go for a split or victory for the home stand, depending on what they do against the Tigers in the previous series. This will also be the Mets final games in the US for three days.

June 28-30 @ Florida Marlins (San Juan, Puerto Rico)

What’s the intrigue?  

This will be the Mets first regular season series outside the US since 2004, when they went to the same stadium (Hiram Bithorn in San Juan, PR) to face the Montreal Expos in their final season of existence.

What to watch for

The Mets will close out the month of June against the Florida Marlins, trying to fare better than the last time they visited them, albeit a different stadium and city. It was last season that the Mets started to fade into oblivion in the month of June, but without as many injuries, they will try and stay in the race for a long while, even through a trip to another country.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

MILWAUKEE—The Mets took a huge risk throwing a pitcher whom hadn’t thrown more than 2.1 IP in a game this season. It came back to bite them and the way they had to use their bullpen.

Both pitching staffs had awful nights and it was a game that felt as if it lasted five-plus hours.

It started well for the Mets in the first inning when they took a 1-0 lead on a Reyes run. After Reyes walked to leadoff the game, stole second, and moved to third on a groundout, Jason Bay doubled him home.

Fernando Nieve though, didn’t have a great game or opening inning. In the first, after retiring the first two batters, it all caved in on him. He allowed a double and two walks, before giving up a grand slam to last night’s hero Corey Hart, as the Brewers took a 4-1 lead after one.

The Mets got a run back in the second on a Jose Reyes RBI single. The Brewers though would answer that in the second when George Kottaras hit a home run off Nieve, making it 5-2.

The Mets added another run in the third on a Rod Barajas groundout to shortstop, cutting the deficit to 5-3. The Mets would get burned by Corey Hart once again in the third, as Oliver Perez—relieving Nieve—gave up a two-run home run to him. After that at-bat, Hart had gone 3-for-3 with three home runs and eight RBI in his last three at-bats, starting with the walk-off home run last night. That gave the Brewers a 7-3 lead after three innings.

The Mets would get three back in the fourth on an Ike Davis three-run home run, breaking out of a mild slump, cutting the lead to 7-6 and officially making it a slugfest. A Ryan Braun double play produced a run for Milwaukee in their fourth, extending their lead to 8-6.

With that Brewers run, it became the first time in Mets history that the Mets were involved in a game, where both teams scored runs in each of the first four innings. The funny thing about it is, nobody scored another run for the rest of the game.

The Mets had an opportunity though in the next inning—the fifth—to score some runs, but Jason Bay grounded out with the bases loaded to end the inning, as the Mets didn’t score.

Starting with that Jason Bay groundout, the Mets’ final 13 batters went down in order for the rest of the game against Brewers’ relievers Todd Coffey, Carlos Villanueva, and John Axford.

The Brewers would be held down over the final four innings by Mets’ relievers Elmer Dessens, Jenrry Mejia, and Ryota Igarashi.

So the Mets lose the game 8-6, along with losing another road series, meaning the Mets will enter June without a road series victory.

They also fall to four games out of first place with the Phillies 1-0 win over the Marlins. In that game, Roy Halladay threw the 20th perfect game in Major League history, and it became the first time in Major League history that there have been two perfect games in the same season.

The Mets will try and avoid the sweep tomorrow with R.A. Dickey on the mound, opposing Mets killer Randy Wolf.

Series probable pitchers:
May 30
New York: R.A. Dickey (2010: 1-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. Milwaukee: Randy Wolf (2010: 4-4, 4.52 ERA)

Upcoming schedule:
New York Mets:
May 30 @ Milwaukee Brewers
May 31-June 2 @ San Diego Padres

Milwaukee Brewers:
May 30 vs. New York Mets
May 31-June 3 @ Florida Marlins

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

MILWAUKEE: Things aren’t working out right now for the Mets away from Citi Field. At 6-15 on the road this season, the Mets will put their series hopes in the hands of reliever Fernando Nieve.

Last season, Nieve came up to make seven starts and didn’t do a bad job. His overall numbers last season, including one relief outing, were 3-3, 2.95 ERA.

The problem here is, he hasn’t been used as a long man this season, so how much of a big transition will it be to make a start?

His longest outing of this season came on April 17 at the Cardinals, when he went 2.1 IP. He gave up a hit and walked two in that stint.

So, Nieve, who hasn’t even pitched three innings in a game this season, will be asked to start a big game for the Mets.

It’s not as if the Mets didn’t have any other options. They could’ve went with Raul Valdes, who has not only earned it by pitching well, but has been stretched out already.

Valdes has pitched as many as five innings in relief on the night the Mets took John Maine out after only one batter.

There were also some minor-league options for the Mets such as Pat Misch, who was up with the Mets last season, or Dillon Gee.

The Mets though, for whatever reason decided Nieve was the guy, so now they’ll hope to win this game in order to give R.A. Dickey a chance to win them the series on Sunday afternoon.

For the Mets, it’s imperative that they win this series for a couple of reasons. Obviously to show that they can win some games on the road, and because of the following series in San Diego.

The Brewers will counter with left-hander Manny Parra. The 27-year-old Parra has had a strange career to say the least. He has a career record right around .500 (22-23), but his ERA by season has been like a roller coaster.

He’s working to a career-low 3.54 ERA this season, he’s only started one game, and he’s pitched to an ERA as high as 6.36 last season when he went 11-11.

More strangely, he got into a fight with his own teammate Prince Fielder in August 2008.

Today, Parra will make his second start of the season. His other one came on May 18 at the Reds, when he only went four innings, allowing a run on four hits with four walks, and he threw only 84 pitches.

So it’ll be a battle of two pitchers, entering unfamiliar roles, at least for this season.

Lost in the Mets losing last night’s game was that they do still have a major streak going. Johan Santana didn’t allow a run in eight innings, therefore, Mets’ starters have gone four straight games without allowing a run.

It’ll be awfully hard for Nieve to both not allow a run, and pitch the qualifying five innings. In all likelihood, Nieve will go as far as four innings and give way to Raul Valdes.

After scoring many clutch runs during the homestand, the Mets couldn’t continue the trend on the road. They didn’t score with the bases loaded and no outs in the third inning last night, and will have to pick it up tonight.

Mets rookie first baseman Ike Davis has finally hit the skids and it’ll be interesting to see if manager Jerry Manuel moves him down in the batting order against the lefty Parra.

Fernando Nieve vs. Milwaukee (career)
1-1, 5.11 ERA, 12.1 IP, 19 hits, 3 BB, 10 SO

Manny Parra vs. New York (career)
0-1, 4.70 ERA, 15.1 IP, 16 hits, 4 BB, 18 SO

2010 season series (New York vs. Milwaukee)
May 28: Milwaukee 2, New York 0
Brewers lead series 1-0

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MILWAUKEE– For a while, it seemed as if the Mets were about to throw their fourth consecutive shutout. It took until two outs in the ninth for the streak to be snapped after 35 2/3 innings.

It was a classic pitcher’s duel between two aces. For the Mets, Johan Santana was on the mound. He was lights-out, as he became the first pitcher for the Mets this season to go eight innings.

The Brewers did have a chance to get to him in the second inning, when NL RBI leader Casey McGehee led off with a double. Santana didn’t allow him to score and that extended the Mets’ scoreless innings streak to 29.

In the third, the Mets had their biggest opportunity of the game against Yovani Gallardo, who lost two 1-0 shutouts to the Mets last season, one of them against Johan Santana.

Rod Barajas and Jeff Francoeur both singled to start the inning, and Johan Santana, bunting, reached base when the third baseman McGehee looked to third and threw to first too late.

With the bases loaded and nobody out, Jose Reyes grounded to first, where Prince Fielder threw Barajas out at the plate. The next batter Alex Cora ended the inning with a 4-6-3 double play. The Mets didn’t score, but the Brewers weren’t doing anything offensively either against Santana.

The Brewers wouldn’t get another legitimate scoring chance until the final inning. The Mets though, did have chances throughout.

In the sixth, Reyes doubled but never scored. In the eighth, Barajas led off with a single but it was followed by a Jeff Francoeur double play. The next batter, Johan Santana, doubled to deep center field, but Jose Reyes was one of three Mets to strike out looking in the eighth and ninth innings, as he ended the eighth.

In the ninth, Jason Bay singled, two batters later David Wright walked, but that was followed by an Angel Pagan strikeout looking to his chagrin. Pagan barked at the home plate umpire, even slammed his bat to the ground, but was not tossed.

While Yovani Gallardo pitched the full nine innings, Johan Santana wasn’t too bad himself, going eight scoreless.

In the bottom of the ninth, still a scoreless game, Pedro Feliciano came in for Santana and retired Prince Fielder on the first pitch. Jerry Manuel brought in Ryota Igarashi. Ryan Braun hit a ground ball to shortstop, where Jose Reyes dove to stop the ball, but couldn’t throw out the runner. After Casey McGehee popped out to first, Corey Hart hit a walk-off two-run home run to left field, giving the Brewers the 2-0 win, and ended the Mets’ scoreless innings streak at 35 2/3.

More importantly, the Mets’ five-game winning streak ended and they failed to win another road game, falling to 6-15 on the road on the season.

Yovani Gallardo was credited with the complete-game shut out, Johan Santana got another no decision, and Ryota Igarashi was charged with the loss.

With the Phillies finally winning—and scoring—the Mets drop a game in the NL East standings, falling to three games out of first place.

They will try and get back on track tomorrow night with spot starter Fernando Nieve on the mound, opposing Manny Parra.

Series probable pitchers:
May 29
New York: Fernando Nieve (2010: 1-2, 5.09 ERA) vs. Milwaukee: Manny Parra (2010: 1-3, 3.54 ERA)
May 30
New York: R.A. Dickey (2010: 1-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. Milwaukee: Randy Wolf (2010: 4-4, 4.52 ERA)

Upcoming schedule:
New York Mets:
May 29-30 @ Milwaukee Brewers
May 31-June 2 @ San Diego Padres

Milwaukee Brewers:
May 29-30 vs. New York Mets
May 31-June 2 @ Florida Marlins

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

What do the Mets have in store for an encore?

Can they even duplicate what transpired against the Phillies?

Let’s not get carried away here—after all, it’s not every series that you sweep with a shutout.

But who said the Mets can’t at least come close to shutting out the Brewers in tonight’s first game of a weekend series?

The Mets will have their ace on the mound, as Johan Santana will oppose Brewers ace Yovani Gallardo.

The last time Santana was on the mound was Sunday night against the Yankees. In that game, after pitching brilliantly for 6 2/3 innings, he tired, being taken out after 7 2/3 innings when it seemed early that he might go the distance.

He’ll try and help the Mets extend their winning streak to six games and help the Mets inch ever so closer to the first-place Phillies.

The Mets just finished off a 5-1 home stand, improving to an incredible 19-9 at home. Problem is, they can’t take Citi Field on their road flights. On the road, the Mets are an NL-worst 6-14.

If there’s any team the Mets can feast on to get healthy on the road, it’s these Milwaukee Brewers. Not only are the Brewers a bad ballclub, they are shockingly God-awful at home.

While most teams do their winning at home, the Brewers own the least amount of home wins in all of baseball. They are 6-15 at home, so if the Mets don’t at least take two, then questions will rise about why the Mets are so good at home compared to the road.

The Mets have to eventually win road games. Even if they win 55 home games, they’d need at least 35 road wins to have 90 and a shot at the playoffs.

The Brewers being so bad at home gives the Mets the perfect opportunity to finally win some games away from Citi Field.

Earlier in the season, the Mets had an eight-game winning streak. They’d love a sweep of the Brewers to accomplish that again, before heading to San Diego, the best NL team.

If you want to spin things in a positive way, you can say on the Mets last road trip—when they got swept four games in Florida—they didn’t have the real Jose Reyes nor the real Jason Bay.

They were still getting starts out of Oliver Perez and John Maine, whom both worked their way out of the rotation on that trip.

Now, the Mets will be entering this series with Santana, Fernando Nieve, and efficient knuckleballer R.A. Dickey.

On the other end, the Brewers’ pitching has been bad this season. Maybe their only bright spot has been ace Yovani Gallardo, who’s 4-2 with an ERA of 3.20 in 10 starts.

The 24-year-old Gallardo has had an injury plagued, but when healthy, fine career. In 2007, and 2009, he’s pitched great. In 2008, he hurt himself on a play covering first base.

This game may be a pitchers’ duel. If so, the Mets should have the advantage. Not because I’m a homer and just want to say so, but because the Mets have the better bullpen and starting pitcher.

If the Mets can turn this around and start to win games on the road, then they’re cooking with gas.

The Mets will enter the game two games behind the Phillies, having gained five games over their last five games.

Johan Santana vs. Milwaukee (career)
4-3, 3.53 ERA, 66.1 IP, 55 hits, 16 BB, 86 SO

Yovani Gallardo vs. New York (career)
0-1, 0.69 ERA, 13 IP, 10 hits, 4 BB, 19 SO

2009 season series (New York vs. Milwaukee)
Series was split 3-3

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It’s almost Memorial Day, and a lot of Mets fans are getting really excited about the potential chance at a playoff run.

There is reason for that excitement as the Mets have put together a good home stand and have shut the Phillies out two straight games.

At the same time, there are a lot of things that the Mets will have to do well from now through the Trading Deadline to stay in the race.

The Mets have some starting pitching concerns and may have some issues in their lineup, concerning the oufield.

With the NL East race so tight and over a quarter of the schedule complete, what do the Mets have to do to stay in the race for a shot at their first postseason appearance in four years?

Here are five things that are a must in the Mets quest at playing in October.

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