New York (59-57) at Los Angeles (52-64)
Currently: - Game info: 4:10 pm EDT Sun Aug 14, 2005
- TV: FSNY, FSN2
The New York Mets have counted on Pedro Martinez all season. But even he can’t be dominant every time he takes the mound.
Martinez looks to bounce back from his shortest outing of the season as the Mets wrap up a three-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.
Martinez allowed five earned runs and nine hits, both matching season highs, in just five innings of Tuesday’s 8-3 loss to the San Diego Padres. The 33-year-old right-hander gave up six extra-base hits, including two homers, in his shortest start since Sept. 29 at Tampa Bay in his last regular-season start for the Boston Red Sox.
“Everybody has an off-day—today was mine,” Martinez said.”
Martinez has allowed at least eight hits in four of his last seven starts after giving up that many just once in his first 16. Tuesday’s loss was the Mets’ third in Martinez’s last three starts after they dropped just seven of his first 20.
“You want to be able to get Pedro’s games—wherever they are—and then go from there,” manager Willie Randolph said.
The Mets beat the Dodgers 5-1 on Saturday for their fifth win in eight games. Backup catcher Ramon Castro and emergency center fielder Gerald Williams both homered for New York.
Williams started for the second straight game in of Carlos Beltran, who was back at the team’s hotel two days after his head-to-head collision with right fielder Mike Cameron. Cameron was at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, Calif., recovering from successful surgery Friday night to repair a broken nose and two fractured cheekbones.
Olmedo Saenz doubled in the run for Los Angeles, which has lost 10 of 16. Jason Phillips, acquired from the Mets on March 20 for pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii, started at catcher for the first time since July 27, when Cincinnati’s Ryan Freel stole five bases against him.
The Mets stole four bases on Saturday, increasing their NL-leading total to 112.
Team Comparison
| Team | Record | Standings | Away/Home | Streak | L10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 83-79 | 3rd East | Away 35-46 | Lost 1 | 8-2 |
| Los Angeles | 71-91 | 4th West | Home 40-41 | Lost 1 | 4-6 |
Amazin' Avenue
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