(Sports Network) – Jonathon Niese tries to win his fourth straight decision when he takes the mound for the New York Mets Sunday in the finale of a three- game series against the Angels.
Over his last six starts, Niese hasn’t given up more than two earned runs in any game. The lefty is unbeaten over his previous four outings and hasn’t lost since May 24 against the Cubs. More impressive is his home stretch. At Citi Field, Niese hasn’t tasted defeat in exactly two months, falling April 19 vs. Houston. Since that time, he’s gone five starts (3-0) without getting a losing decision at home.
Niese takes another streak into this afternoon’s game in that he’s 2-0 with a 4.58 ERA in three career interleague starts.
Tyler Chatwood, the starter for Los Angeles, is going in the opposite direction of Niese. The right-hander has dropped his last two starts and is on a four-game winless stretch, but he’s received hardly any run support recently. The Angels have been outscored 16-1 during his last three trips to the mound. In his most recent appearance, a 9-0 loss to Kansas City a week ago, Chatwood matched a season-high by allowing five earned runs.
This will be the rubber match of the three-game series. Last night, Carlos Beltran went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and three RBI to back Mike Pelfrey’s complete game, as the Mets won, 6-1.
Justin Turner and Jason Bay both had an RBI and run scored for the Mets, who bounced back from a 4-3 loss in the opener of this set on Friday.
Pelfrey (4-5) gave up just one run on five hits to pick up his first complete game of the season. He also struck out five and did not issue a walk.
“It doesn’t happen much these days as it did in the past, but it’s fun to go out there and finish what you start,” Pelfrey said.
Mark Trumbo hit a solo homer for the Angels, who have the best interleague road mark all-time (71-55).
Dan Haren (6-5) allowed six runs on seven hits over four-plus frames to suffer the loss.