San Diego @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 10, 2011 ) San Diego 9, NY Mets 5

THE STORY: The injury-riddled New York Mets have shown their ability to handle adversity all season. They may have to overcome another obstacle Thursday if Angel Pagan is unable to play in the finale of a four-game series with the visiting San Diego Padres, who have suddenly morphed into an offensive juggernaut. New York, which is already without Jose Reyes and Daniel Murphy, lost Pagan to back spasms in Wednesday’s 9-5 loss.

TV: 12:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), Channel 4 (San Diego)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Jonathon Niese (11-8, 4.12 ERA) vs. Padres LH Cory Luebke (4-6, 3.06).

Niese has won four his last five decisions. His only start against the Padres was a memorable one, as he came tantalizingly close to throwing the first no-hitter in Mets’ history. The lefthander threw a one-hitter - his only shutout to date - in the second game of a doubleheader last June, retiring the last 21 hitters. Luebke is 3-4 with a 2.92 ERA in eight starts since moving from the bullpen. The lefthander struck out a career-high nine in seven innings of 13-2 win over Pittsburgh on Friday. Lefthanders are hitting only .150 against Luebke - the third lowest mark in the majors. He has never faced the Mets.

ABOUT THE METS (58-58): New York’s attempt at a third straight come-from-behind victory fell short Wednesday and the Mets fell to 3-5 on a rain-shortened 10-game homestand. Jason Pridie had a pinch-hit RBI single while subbing for Pagan, who left in the fourth inning. Pagan had homered in consecutive games while hitting leadoff in place of Reyes. Pridie would likely start in center field if Pagan misses any time. David Wright’s double Wednesday tied him with Ed Kranepool for the most total bases (2,047) in franchise history. Lucas Duda is hitting .346 (9-for-25) with a homer and five RBIs this month. Jason Bay went 0-for-4, ending his 11-game hitting streak. He is batting .400 (18-for-45) over the last 12 games.

ABOUT THE PADRES (52-66): San Diego is near the bottom of the National League in nearly every offensive category, but it has caught fire recently. The Padres have scored 56 runs over the last six games. Jason Bartlett has driven in at least one run in seven straight contests. San Diego's seemingly impenetrable bullpen has allowed 10 runs over the last three games. The Padres entered the series with the best bullpen ERA in baseball (2.80). San Diego had won 186 straight games when leading by two or more runs heading into the ninth inning prior to Monday’s loss.

FINAL PITCH: Tuesday’s victory marked the first time in 46 years the Mets had won consecutive games by rallying from deficits of at least two runs in the eighth inning or later.