New York @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 15, 2008 ) Texas 2, NY Mets 4

THE STORY: The New York Mets are hoping Jose Reyes can continue his torrid pace Friday when they begin a three-game interleague series against the Texas Rangers. Reyes scored his National League-leading 56th run and hit a pair of RBI singles as the Mets waited out a rain delay of over two hours before posting a 4-1 home victory over Oakland on Thursday. The effort was Reyes' major league-high 37th multi-hit performance of the season. Texas has won four of its last six games after being swept in a three-game set by the New York Yankees.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, WPIX (New York), TXA-21 (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Mike Pelfrey (4-5, 4.70 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Matt Harrison (5-6, 3.16 ERA)

Pelfrey is coming off his best outing of the season, a five-hit, complete-game victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Saturday. It was the 27-year old's first complete game since 2008, when he tossed the other two of his career. Pelfrey, who has not issued a walk in 22 innings over his last three starts, is 1-5 with a 6.75 ERA in eight road outings this year.

Harrison has posted a 2.06 ERA over his last seven starts but has just a 2-3 record to show for it. The 25-year old, who has allowed fewer than two earned runs in four of his last five outings, is winless in his last three. He surrendered three runs - one earned - in 6 1/3 innings at Atlanta on Saturday but settled for a no-decision.

ABOUT THE RANGERS (40-36): Texas is in the midst of a stretch in which it plays 19 consecutive games in the Lone Star State, including 16 at home. The club visits Houston for a three-game series next week. Through Wednesday, the Rangers led the American League in a pair of dubious categories - errors (60) and blown saves (13). They also were tied with the Astros for the most fielding blunders in the majors. C Mike Napoli, who is sidelined with a strained oblique, is hopeful of hitting in a cage Friday. If all goes well, he may begin a rehab assignment next week.

ABOUT THE METS (37-38): Thursday's win was New York's second straight and third in five games. The club also has performed well on the road lately as it has captured five of its last eight away from home. After Chris Capuano's impressive performance Thursday, the Mets are hoping his injury is not serious. Capuano left after six scoreless innings with discomfort on the right side of his abdomen.

FINAL PITCH: The Mets entered Thursday leading the majors with 23 triples and the NL with 74 stolen bases. Daniel Murphy tried to add to the stolen-base total but was thrown out by Oakland's Landon Powell in the seventh inning.