=== New York Mets Team Report - June 23 === (My Sportsbook) - The New York Mets will try to get back on the winning track Tuesday night when they begin a three-game series against the Florida Marlins at Shea Stadium. The Mets have dropped three in a row and are mired in last place in the NL East, three games behind the fourth-place Marlins. Sunday night, Mets relievers walked eight batters over the final three innings in a 7-3 loss to the New York Yankees in 11 innings. Graeme Lloyd walked Charles Gipson with the bases loaded in the 11th to force in the go-ahead run. Mets closer Armando Benitez blew a save opportunity in the ninth inning, walking four batters, including Jorge Posada with the bases full to tie the game. Jason Phillips finished 4-for-5 with an RBI, while Cliff Floyd homered for the Mets. Tuesday night's pitching matchup is a repeat from last Wednesday when the Mets beat the Marlins 10-5. Al Leiter will start Tuesday's game for the Mets, while Brad Penny goes to the mound for Florida. Leiter enters Tuesday night's game with a 7-3 mark and a 4.82 ERA in 15 starts this season. The 37-year-old lefthander, who is 4-1 over his last five starts, got the win last week against the Marlins, allowing six hits and five runs in five innings. He walked six batters and fanned only two. Leiter is 2-0 against the Marlins this season, as he also posted a victory April 8 at Pro Player Stadium. Leiter is 11-4 with a 4.01 ERA in 16 career appearances against the Marlins. The Mets are 16-18 at home this season and have dropped four in a row at Shea Stadium. |
