(Sports Network) - Since an awful performance against the Braves on April 17,
New York Mets pitcher Johan Santana has put up a pair of strong starts.
Unfortunately for the veteran left-hander, he's still winless on the season.
Santana gets another shot at win No. 1 this afternoon when the Mets resume
their three-game series against Arizona. He didn't get a decision in a 6-5,
11-inning win at Colorado on Sunday. In that game, Santana gave up no runs on
two hits over six innings. He's yielded just five hits and a run covering his
last two starts, both no-decisions.
Over his career, Santana is 2-0 with an 0.62 ERA in four starts against the
Diamondbacks. His last victory against Arizona came on June 8, 2005 when he
pitched for Minnesota. In that game, Santana threw a four-hit shutout.
Countering for Arizona will be Patrick Corbin, a 22-year-old lefty who will be
playing in the state in which he grew up. Corbin attended Cicero-North
Syracuse High and is expected to have family and friends in attendance this
afternoon at Citi Field. Corbin's first major league appearance came Monday
when he threw 5 2/3 innings in a victory at Miami.
Last night, Cody Ransom's RBI singled capped a three-run eighth inning the
Diamondbacks used to down the New York Mets, 5-4. Ransom also hit a two-run
home run and finished with three RBI for the Diamondbacks, who snapped a two-
game slide.
Brad Ziegler (1-1) earned the win with a scoreless inning of relief, while
Wade Miley allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks in a six-inning start
for Arizona.
J.J. Putz tossed a perfect ninth for his sixth save of the year.
"In the end, we believe we'll win the games we have to win," Diamondbacks
manager Kirk Gibson said.
Jon Rauch (3-1) took the loss, giving up three hits and a run in two-thirds of
an inning on the mound. Dillon Gee started the game for the Mets, allowing two
runs on four hits and three walks over six full frames.
"There's no excuse not to go out there and execute pitches, make them either
hit it right at somebody or make them swing or miss," Rauch said. "I just
didn't do it tonight."
Scott Hairston drove in a pair of runs for New York, which dropped its fourth
straight game.
Aaron Hill has reached base safely in 21 straight games for Arizona.
New York and Arizona split six matchups a year ago.
The Sports Network