Houston Astros (74-86) at New York Mets (68-92), 1:10 p.m.

Sports Network | October 3, 2009

(Sports Network) - The New York Mets will try to finish their disappointing 2009 campaign on a winning note, as they resume a three-game series this afternoon versus the Houston Astros at Citi Field.

New York ended a three-game slide with a 7-1 victory over the Astros in Friday's series opener, as Jeff Francoeur posted three hits, including a home run, two RBI and a pair of runs scored to lead the way. Daniel Murphy belted a pinch-hit two-run homer and David Wright chipped in three hits and an RBI for the Mets, who got a strong start from John Maine.

Maine earned the win by holding Houston to a run and five hits with seven strikeouts over seven innings of work. Bobby Parnell and Sean Green each threw a scoreless inning of relief to preserve the victory.

"I was trying to pitch to contact, trying to work on a couple things," Maine said. "I just tried to minimize the walks. It's good to leave the season on this game."

Acquired off waivers from San Francisco in June, Pat Misch gets the ball for the Mets Saturday afternoon. Misch is coming off his first career shutout, as he went the distance in a 4-0 victory at Florida on Sunday. Misch allowed eight hits to improve to 2-4 with a 4.33 ERA in 21 games (6 starts) with the Mets. The southpaw made four relief appearances as a Giant and will face Houston for the second time in his career.

The Astros have dropped three of their last four games, including yesterday's six-run loss in Flushing, NY. Geoff Blum was credited with the lone RBI for Houston, which was outhit by a 14-6 margin.

Wandy Rodriguez started for the 'Stros and was dealt the loss for allowing three runs and eight hits in six innings. Doug Brocail later gave up four runs in an inning of relief.

"I didn't have a good breaking ball today," Rodriguez said after his start.

Yorman Bazardo will toe the rubber for Houston tonight and the young hurler is 1-2 with an 8.23 ERA in nine games (5 starts) in 2009. Bazardo won his most recent stint on Monday at Philadelphia, as he held the defending champions to two runs in 5 2/3 innings of an 8-2 triumph.

Bazardo, a right-hander, will face the Mets for the fourth time in his career on Saturday. He is 0-0 with a 12.00 ERA in three relief outings.

New York won two of three over the Astros in Houston back on July 24-26. The Astros are making their first-ever trip to brand new Citi Field.