Mets Lose, But Pedro on Horizon
The New York Mets had a rough night last night, [losing 9-2] to the second-place Philadelphia Phillies and subsequently seeing their NL East-division lead [shrink to five games](http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/standings). But the boys from Queens arent hitting the panic button just yet. Its one of those games you need to forget about and come out tomorrow and play well, said catcher Paul Lo Duca, who, along with second baseman Luis Castillo, rejoined the lineup after missing time due to injury.
Starter Brian Lawrence allowed five earned runs and 10 hits in just four and two-thirds innings, and sluggers David Wright, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado went a combined 2-for-12 with seven strikeouts, but the Mets have reason to be optimistic. Three-time Cy Young Award winner Pedro Martinez, in his fourth rehab start, [allowed zero runs and just five hits ]in six innings yesterday for the St. Lucie Mets. Pedros return is imminent, which means we might not have to see Brian Hit Me Lawrence pitch yet another start.
The Mets should also still be able to at least split the four-game series with Philadelphia, because the pitching matchups align in their favor. Southpaws Tom Glavine and Oliver Perez will throw against a very good left-handed-hitting team tonight and tomorrow, then their best pitcher, Orlando Hernandez, will pitch in Thursdays series finale.