New York @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 4, 2011 ) NY Mets 5, LA Dodgers 2

THE STORY: The struggles continued for the last-place Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. The New York Mets came from behind in the sixth inning, breaking up Rubby De La Rosa’s no-hit bid with three doubles to take the opener of a four-game series in L.A. The Dodgers look to rebound today, when they send Ted Lilly to the mound to take on the Mets’ Mike Pelfrey.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet New York, KCAL

PITCHING MATCHUP: New York Mets RH Mike Pelfrey (4-7, 4.92) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers LH Ted Lilly (5-8, 2.85)

Pelfrey will look to turnaround his luck on the mound after dropping two straight starts and three of his last four. The righthander has allowed eight earned runs in his last 10 2/3 innings and lasted just 4 2/3 innings June 30 against Detroit after yielding five runs on eight hits. Pitching on the road has been particularly difficult for Pelfrey, who is 1-7 with a 6.75 ERA in 10 starts away from the Big Apple. He’ll face Lilly, who has dealt with elbow tenderness and had his start pushed back to Tuesday. Lilly has dropped his last three decisions, allowing 17 earned runs in 14 2/3 innings. He’ll get a tough at-bat from the Mets’ Ronny Paulino, who is 8-for-16 with two home runs, five RBIs and two doubles in his career against Lilly.

ABOUT THE METS (43-42): The Mets’ bats came alive in the sixth inning Monday night, pushing across three runs in the frame after being no-hit through five innings. The Mets are back above .500 and have won eight of their last 12 games. They will be without shortstop Jose Reyes, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury. The Mets said Monday that they would consider playing with a 24-man roster for a few days, rather than immediately put Reyes on the disabled list.

ABOUT THE DODGERS (37-49): The Dodgers are looking for a spark from anyone on their roster after suffering their fifth loss in six games Monday night. The Dodgers got Rafael Furcal back in the lineup Sunday night, but the shortstop is just 1-for-8 with three strikeouts since returning from the disabled list. The Dodgers also optioned Dee Gordon to Triple-A and recalled infielder Eugenio Velez, who struck out in his appearance as a pinch hitter Monday.

FINAL PITCH: The Mets’ Jason Bay is playing in Los Angeles for the first time since suffering a season-ending concussion last season at Dodgers Stadium. He crashed into the wall Monday night while making a catch, but was able to stay in the game.