The slumping Mets, losers of five of their last seven, hope fifth-starter Livan Hernandez can give them a lift tonight when they open a three-game series with the Brewers at Citi Field. Hernandez is coming off an impressive Mets debut last Saturday in Miami, where he pitched 6 2/3 innings of two-run ball in an eventual 8-4 win. That remains the Marlins’ only loss this season.
Hernandez is 7-6 with a 3.77 ERA in his career against the Brewers but hasn’t beaten them since May 19, 2005, when he was with the Nationals.
Hernandez will square off against Milwaukee right-hander Dave Bush, who is facing the Mets in New York for the first time in his career. Bush is 2-1 with a 6.75 ERA in three career appearances against the Amazin’s.
Here is the 4-5 Mets’ order for the 7:10 p.m. game:
Jose Reyes SS
Daniel Murphy LF
David Wright 3B
Carlos Delgado 1B
Carlos Beltran CF
Ryan Church RF
Ramon Castro C
Luis Castillo 2B
Livan Hernandez RHP (1-0, 2.70)
Hernandez’s numbers against the Brewers’ hitters
The 3-6 Brewers will counter with:
Rickie Weeks 2B
Corey Hart 2B
Ryan Braun LF
Prince Fielder 1B
J.J. Hardy SS
Mike Cameron CF
Bill Hall 3B
Mike Rivera C
Dave Bush RHP (0-0, 6.14)
Bush’s numbers against the Mets’ hitters
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Mets catcher Brian Schneider could miss the entire Milwaukee series and perhaps be headed for the DL unless his back pain improves. Schneider said the pain developed last week in Miami and hasn’t lifted since then.