=== New York Mets Team Report - May 22 ===

(My Sportsbook) - The New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies will meet today in the rubber match of a three-game series at Shea Stadium this afternoon.

Pedro Astacio will pitch today for New York, as he is 1-0 over his last three outings, but received a no-decision in his last appearance, a 7-5 Mets loss at San Francisco on Friday. The 33-year-old righty allowed 10 hits and five earned runs in just 4 2/3 innings in that contest.

Astacio holds a 9-7 career mark in 22 career appearances (20 starts) against the Phillies.

Last night, Tony Clark singled home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the New York Mets a 5-4 victory. Clark finished with two RBI and Tsuyoshi Shinjo and Cliff Floyd homered for New York.

Al Leiter went six innings for the Mets, surrendering three runs on five hits. The lefthander struck out five and walked six. Armando Benitez (1-3) picked up his first win of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth for the Mets.

After today's match up the Mets will go on a six-game road trip against two division rivals, the Atlanta Braves and another three-game set against the Phillies at the Vet.