New York @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 15, 2011 ) NY Mets 5, San Diego 4

THE STORY: With their playoff aspirations long forgotten, many fans of the New York Mets and San Diego Padres were focused on Monday’s deadline to sign picks from the 2011 first-year player draft. On Tuesday, the attention returns to the field for the second game of a three-game series at Petco Park. The Mets snapped a five-game losing streak with their 10-inning, 5-4 win in Monday's series opener, while the Padres fell to 23-37 at home.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, PIX11, Channel 4SD

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Jonathan Niese (11-9, 4.03 ERA) vs. Padres LH Cory Luebke (4-6, 3.09 ERA).

Niese matched his career-high with 122 pitches in a no-decision last Thursday against the Padres, giving up three runs - two earned - over 7 2/3 innings. He is 1-1 with a 1.08 ERA in two career starts against the Padres. Luebke allowed two runs while striking out eight over five innings last Thursday against the Mets. He is 3-4 with a 2.98 ERA since joining the rotation on June 26. He has 56 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings as a starter against 11 walks.

ABOUT THE METS (59-62): Jose Reyes (hamstring) fielded ground balls, threw and hit on Monday, and he plans on running later this week. Barring any setbacks, he could rejoin the Mets by the end of the month. One bright spot since the All-Star break has been the play of Lucas Duda, who homered for the second time in as many games on Monday. Duda has been playing regularly at first base in place of Ike Davis (ankle), but he’ll likely move to right field next season. Duda is admittedly weak in the outfield, however, so he’ll need some time to improve. The Mets may start playing him more in right field soon, with Nick Evans and Mike Baxter sharing time at first base. Either way, the Mets figure to get Duda’s bat in the lineup. He’s batting .333 with four home runs since the All-Star break. The Mets signed first-round pick Brandon Nimmo for a reported $2.1 million just before the deadline Monday. The 18-year-old outfielder was the 13th overall selection in June’s First-Year Player Draft.

ABOUT THE PADRES (54-69): While the Padres were playing a close game against the Mets on Monday, even more drama was unfolding off the field. Just before the deadline to sign their draft picks, the Padres came to terms with pitchers Joe Ross (25th overall) and Michael Kelly (48th), as well as catcher Austin Hedges, a second-round pick. Ross and Hedges had both committed to play next season at UCLA, and many experts were surprised the Padres were able to sign both players. San Diego remains thrilled with the production from Jesus Guzman, who was picked up as a free agent during the offseason. Guzman, who missed two games over the weekend with a sore left elbow, is batting .344 after driving in a run as a pinch hitter Monday. After a dismal first half, it appears Will Venable has rediscovered his stroke. He's batting .338 with 11 RBIs and seven stolen bases since the All-Star break.

FINAL PITCH: Jason Isringhausen joined John Franco and Billy Wagner as the only players to record their 300th save with the Mets when he closed out Monday’s win.