--RF Ryan Church was cleared to resume cardiovascular activities, and could begin baseball workouts next week. The Mets are expecting about six or seven minor league rehab games, which means he could return in about two weeks.

--RHP Pedro Martinez was placed on the bereavement list when he returned to the Dominican Republic to attend the funeral of his father, Pablo, 79, after a long illness. RHP Brandon Knight will replace him in the rotation Saturday against St. Louis.

--RHP Mike Pelfrey continued his hot pitching, winning his seventh straight decision. He gave up one run on seven hits with five strikeouts and no walks in seven innings. "The biggest thing is confidence. I'm out on the mound and I don't feel like I have to be perfect," Pelfrey said. "I believe in myself that I'm going to win."

--RHP Duaner Sanchez struggled again, giving up a run on two hits without retiring a batter. On Tuesday against Philadelphia, he replaced LHP Billy Wagner in a save situation and gave up three runs without getting an out.

--1B Carlos Delgado, promoted to cleanup in the batting order, hit his 20th homer of the season. Delgado is on pace to hit 32 homers with 100 RBIs.

BY THE NUMBERS
131 -- RBIs for 3B David Wright from the 2007 All-Star Game through July 20, 2008, third in the major leagues behind Ryan Howard and Mark Teixeira. Carlos Beltran was sixth with 124 RBIs.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"I'm just struggling in all aspects. I don't know what it is. I work hard between starts. I go out there, and the little things here and the little things there are hurting me." -- RHP John Maine, on not having won in four starts.

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