Marlins 6, Mets 5

Mike Pelfrey had another game of mixed results, but it was Billy Wagner who let this one get away. Pelfrey gave up four runs in six innings, which was good enough to give the Mets the lead into the ninth inning. But Wagner gave up a single, a sacrifice bunt and a home run to the three batters he faced and the lead was blown in short order.

Pelfrey's night was far from perfect, but there were again some promising signs. The first run he gave up would not have scored but for a ball misplayed in right field by Lastings Milledge. But the Marlins' big fourth inning, in which they scored three runs, was all on Pelfrey. He gave up a home run and two doubles in that inning. But he was able to bounce back and pitch a scoreless fifth. He got into trouble in the sixth, allowing two walks and a hit, but was able to escape this jam to finish on a high note. He wound up allowing a total of seven hits and four walks and he struck out four.

The Mets' offense was concentrated almost entirely at the top of their lineup. Jose Reyes had two hits, including his tenth home run, drew a walk and scored three runs. Paul Lo Duca had three more hits, one of which was a double. And Carlos Beltran had a double, a walk and his thirty-third home run. Milledge did have a fine game at the plate, drawing three walks.

Tomorrow night, Steve Trachsel (9-5, 5.14) will try to start a new streak of getting credited with the win despite not pitching all that well. Last time out his streak of seven straight wins was ended when he allowed eight runs in four and two-thirds innings. Ricky Nolasco (9-6, 3.94) will start for the Marlins.  ¶ joe | 11:14 PM |