New York @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 29, 2013 ) NY Mets 3, Miami 4

The Miami Marlins have finally won back-to-back games and it took 15 innings to accomplish it in the first of a three-game series with the New York Mets. A little more than 18 hours later, the Marlins will try to build on it when they host the Mets on Tuesday. Miami’s thrilling win came at a cost though as slugger Giancarlo Stanton suffered a right hamstring injury running to first base and was placed on the 15-day disabled list after the game. Promising 22-year-old outfield prospect Marcell Ozuna was recalled.

The Mets have their own problems, losing five consecutive games and 10 of their last 13. New York has managed only 10 runs during the slide and captain David Wright is day-to-day with neck stiffness. Catcher John Buck belted his ninth homer Monday to match the club record for the month of April, but went 1-for-7 with three strikeouts.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), Fox Sports Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Jeremy Hefner (0-2, 5.14 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Kevin Slowey (0-2, 2.43)

Hefner’s best start was his last when he allowed one run and three hits over seven innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers, without getting a decision. The Mets have lost in all five of Hefner’s outings, but he has given up three or less runs in four of five appearances. He surrendered one run in six innings against Miami in his season debut and is 1-1 with a 2.21 ERA in four games (three starts) against the Marlins.

Slowey has allowed two or less runs in four of five starts and his team has scored only six times for him. The Chicago Cubs scored three runs in six innings against Slowey in his last outing. The right-hander has struck out 21 and walked only six, giving up three homers. Slowey was touched up for five runs in six innings in his only appearance versus the Mets in 2010. David Wright is 2-for-3 with a double and homer against Slowey.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Mets used nine pitchers and the Marlins sent seven to the mound in the first game of the series.

2. Miami 1B Joe Mahoney (hamstring) was also placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday and LHP Brad Hand recalled.

3. Buck has 25 RBIs, one shy of Jeff Kent’s franchise record for the month of April.

PREDICTION: Mets 5, Marlins 3