New York Mets Vs. Florida Marlins: Tuesday's Game Rained Out, Rescheduled For July

The New York Mets short two-game series with the Florida Marlins became an even shorter one when Tuesday night's matchup was postponed due to rain.

Things actually didn't look too bad around Citi Field late in the afternoon, but the team did not feel there would be enough of a window after first pitch to get the game in.  With the Mets suffering multiple injuries and playing extra innings after nearly a 90-minute delay, a day off right now isn't the worst thing for the team right now.

The game will be made up on July 18, on a mutual off-day, instead of adding a double-header to one of the Marlins two remaining visits to Citi Field.

Mets Vs. Marlins: Mets Look To Split Short Series

The New York Mets will try to bounce back from a bitter defeat last night in which numerous opportunities to put runs on the board were wasted and a relief pitcher beat them in the batter's box. With the win, the Florida Marlins are just one game behind the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the NL East and their pitching remains the core of their success, but a victory for the Mets tonight would earn them a feel-good split of the two-game series heading into another short series with the Washington Nationals.

Tonight, the Marlins will toss out right-hander Ricky Nolasco, who has been excellent this year, with a 3-0 record, 3.02 ERA and 1.08 WHIP, but is 5-6 with a 5.26 ERA against the Mets in his career. Jon Niese will attempt to put his last outing, a five-run, six-inning stint at Coors Field, behind him. Before that start Niese had allowed more than two runs just once in four outings. Now, more than ever, New York needs its starters to give them quality outings because of Ike Davis and David Wright's absence from the linceup.

Official word of Wright's disabled list placement hasn't been made yet, but it's safe to say that Justin Turner (and sometimes Willie Harris) will man third base while he's out. After last night's game, the Mets sent Ryota Igarashi and Chin-Lung Hu down to Triple-A, activating Pedro Beato from the DL and recalling Ruben Tejada. Tejada will most likely play second base and the team is expected to promote Nick Evans once Wright's DL stint is made official, which it should by tonight's game.

Marlins 2, Mets 1 (F/11): Marlins' Reliever, Badenhop, Gets Game-Winning Hit

The New York Mets' Jon Niese hit a triple in the bottom of the 11th inning with two outs, but Jose Reyes couldn't get him home. This game was full of lost opportunities ... but the Florida Marlins' Burke Badenhop, all of 190-plus innings pitched and four major league seasons -- with one hit in his career -- came up in the top of the 11th after an inning of relief to collect the base hit, on a single up the middle, to take advantage of his chance. Only against the New York Mets would something like this occur, but they had enough chances of their own in prior innings and failed to get the job done. Hence, they fell to the Marlins, in a game that was very winnable, 2-1.

The Mets grabbed the lead on a Justin Turner double to right center in the fourth inning off of Marlins' ace Josh Johnson, but that 1-0 lead would only last until the seventh inning, as Mike Stanton hit his patented booming homerun, to knot the game up at 1.

Johnson came out of the game after five innings after deflecting a bouncer up the middle with his forearm, and Big Pelf was able to match him pitch-by-pitch. In fact, he threw his best game of the season -- lasting seven innings, allowing just one run on six hits, getting first-pitch strikes and using spacious Citi Field to his advantage.

But even with the game tied, the Mets had several chances to cash in. In the bottom of the ninth, Turner reached on an infield single to short and made it to second base on a throwing error by Hanley Ramirez. Jason Pridie was up to bat and asked to bunt, but couldn't get the job done and struckout. Josh Thole was intentionally walked, Fernando Martinez grounded into a fielder's choice and Chin-Lung Hu (sent up to bat for Willie Harris) grounded out.

Then, in the bottom of the 10th inning, Carlos Beltran led off with a walk, Bay sacrificed him over and Daniel Murphy was intentionall walked. Turner hit a ball that Ramirez botched, but the carom went right to second baseman Omar Infante and all he had to do was step on the bag and throw to first, to end the inning.

Badenhop, of all people, got the winning base knock in the 11th -- but the Mets almost pulled some magic out of their caps as well. After two quick outs, Niese was sent to the plate with no usable pinch hitters available, and tripled. However, Reyes struckout to end all of the Mets' hopes.

David Wright Has Stress Fracture In Back

It wouldn't be a complete day in New York Mets land without some injury news to report. David Wright has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his back. Sandy Alderson said the third baseman will not be placed on the disabled list yet, until he receives a second opinion, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN NY.

In his press conference with reporters, Alderson also said that Wright's injury is not one that will require surgery. He sustained it on a diving play with Carlos Lee when the Houston Astros were in New York (from April 19-21), according to Rubin. There is a chance that this injury could be cured just by resting for 10 days, then returning to baseball action.

Alderson said that, "David himself was surprised by [the diagnosis]." And that the injury is not long term.

It's hard to imagine Wright not being placed on the DL with an injury like this -- and an already-stated 10 days of rest time at the minimum. In addition, the Mets have been much more cautious with injured players this season. The second opinion will determine the course of action the Mets take with the franchise third baseman -- but with the luck of this team and its injuries, it's definitely best to expect the worst, just to be safe.

Wright had six homeruns and 18 RBI on the season but was batting just .226. This very well could be the reason for the early-season struggles.

Willie Harris has taken Wright's spot at third base in the lineup tonight against the Florida Marlins.

Mets Vs. Marlins: Mini Series Begins With Pelfrey against Johnson

The New York Mets begin a two-game series with the Florida Marlins tonight at home. Winners of three straight series and seven of their past 10 games, the Mets will not have a very easy series against the Marlins and their great pitching and young, upcoming offense.

Theoretically, the with their No. 1 starter, Mike Pelfrey, on the mound, New York should have the best chance to win tonight. With a 5.74 ERA and 1.61 WHIP, though, times have been better for Big Pelf. Sure, he's been a little bit better lately ... but right now he's far too hittable and he doesn't really strike out enough guys to be a huge threat.

With Cy Young contender Josh Johnson on the mound for the Marlins, the Mets could have a tough time scratching enough runs across if Pelfrey lets them down. Johnson has a 1.63 ERA and 0.90 WHIP on the year -- with one of the best fastballs in the game -- despite being just 3-1. In his eight starts this year, he has allowed more than one run just twice -- five earned against the St. Louis Cardinals and two earned on Opening Day against the Mets -- and he's not given up an earned run three times. He's lasted at least seven innings in his past six starts to boot.

It's easy to see that it's not going to be an easy game for the Mets. Looking at the pitcher versus hitter data on Johnson and the current Mets, Jason Bay has gone 4-for-9, but everyone else with at least nine at bats is stuck in the .200's or below.

But let's not be too pessimistic. This Mets team has played some great baseball lately. A good series against the second-place NL East Marlins would go a long way to quieting some doubters.