Baltimore Orioles (31-38) at New York Mets (42-24) on 6/17/06 at 7:10

[Plax 4 Prez]

Mets hoping to bounce back from loss

Baltimore (31-38) at New York Mets (42-24), 7:10 p.m. ET

 

The Mets returned home Friday as an offensive juggernaut, having outscored the Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Phillies by a combined 78 runs to 36 in a 9-1 road trip. The Mets averaged more than seven runs in a game during their 10-game stretch and cruised back home with an eight-game win streak.

The Orioles, meanwhile, came into Flushing having lost three in a row and four of the last five. In addition, the American League East team had lost 20 of their past 27 games on the road, and entered the game with a 30-38 record.

 

But, the Mets looked road-weary and jet-lagged against the Orioles at Shea Stadium in a 6-3 loss in which they managed only four hits in the first game of its Interleague series. The Mets manufactured a run in the second inning off Orioles starter Erik Bedard, and did not register a hit until the fifth. They put across two runs in the fifth, but looked nothing like the "Road Warriors" of the past 10 games.

 

Before Friday's game, Mets skipper Willie Randolph looked a bit prophetic, when he warned against getting too excited about the Mets' offensive production.

 

"We still have to reach our offensive potential," said Randolph. "I always feel like we're a work in progress and we have yet to scratch the surface offensively. We've done some things lately where I've been pleased, but I still think we haven't shown how devastating an offense we can be."

 

The Mets look to develop its offensive production and return to their winning ways against a former Met in Kris Benson. The 6-foot-4 right-hander makes his return appearance to Shea Stadium after being traded to the Orioles in the offseason. The 31-year-old Benson spent two years with the Mets after being acquired in a trade with the Pirates in 2004, and compiled a 14-12 record. In 2004, the righty had a 10-8 record with a 4.13 ERA. This year, Benson has pitched well for the struggling O's and has moved up the depth chart with his 7-5 record and 4.63 ERA.

 

Pedro Martinez (6-2, 2.94 ERA) takes the mound for the Mets, and hopes to pick up where he left off in Arizona. In five innings of work against the Diamondbacks on June 11, the right-hander allowed five hits and one run, with three strikeouts and one walk.

 

Martinez compiled a 9-4 record with a 4.01 ERA against the Orioles from 1998-2004 while with the Red Sox. In his last start against the O's on July 26, 2004, he pitched 6 1/3 innings, and allowed seven hits and five earned runs in a 12-5 win.

 

Pitching matchup

NYM: RHP Pedro Martinez (6-2, 2.94 ERA)

Martinez has had five days' rest after a five-inning, 91-pitch start against the Diamondbacks on Sunday. The factors ought to serve him well. He hasn't seen the Orioles since 2004, when they beat him twice and lost to him once in four starts.

 

BAL: RHP Kris Benson (7-5, 4.63 ERA)

Carlos Delgado has batted against Benson 14 times. Here's what he has done: two walks, two singles, no strikeouts, four home runs and seven RBIs. Don't miss the bottom of the first -- Delgado has the best chance of extending the Mets' first-inning streak if he gets a swing.

 

 

Player to watch

Javy Lopez has a .375 average in 32 career at-bats against Martinez.

 

On the Internet

MLB.TV

Gameday Audio

• Gameday

• Offici al game notes

 

On television

• SNY

 

On radio

• WFAN 660 AM, WADO 1280 AM (Español)

 

Up next

• Sunday: Orioles (LHP Adam Loewen, 0-1, 7.84) at Mets (LHP Tom Glavine, 9-2, 3.31) 1:10 p.m. ET

• Monday: Reds (RHP Bronson Arroyo, 8-3, 2.51) at Mets (RHP Orlando Hernandez, 4-5, 5.50) 7:10 p.m. ET

• Tuesday: Reds (RHP Elizardo Ramirez, 2-5, 3.34) at Mets (RHP Steve Trachsel, 4-4, 4.81) 7:10 p.m. ET

[Plax 4 Prez]

fuck...3-2 Orioles

our ex-pitcher homered

[Reaper]

Mets are playing LIKE:

[Plax 4 Prez]

Mets are playing LIKE:

LOL