Tim Redding (1-3, 6.35 ERA) will get the ball for New York, and he’s struggled since entering the rotation in mid-May. The right-hander gave up five runs and six hits - including two homers - in 5 1-3 innings Saturday while the Mets managed only one hit in a 5-0 loss to the New York Yankees.

Redding is 0-1 with a 6.38 ERA in five outings in Pittsburgh.

The Pirates counter with Paul Maholm (5-4, 4.35), who faced the Mets on May 9 in New York, yielding seven runs and 10 hits over five innings in a 10-1 loss. He’s 3-2 with a 3.65 ERA in six career starts versus the Mets.

Maholm is 3-1 with a 1.96 ERA in six home starts this season, and he looked solid there against Kansas City on Friday. The left-hander gave up two runs and five hits over seven innings in a 6-2 win.

Manager Jerry Manuel called a meeting of his healthy players during the Brewers series. His message: Despite a depleted lineup, the Mets cannot feel sorry for themselves.

"The whole key was to say that we have enough," Manuel said. "We've got enough in here to do what we need to get it done. Let's get it done."

The Mets lost their season-high fifth consecutive game Tuesday while playing with shortstop Jose Reyes, center fielder Carlos Beltran and first base Carlos Delgado on the disabled list.

Still, left-hander Johan Santana echoed Manuel's message, indicating that the Mets need to tighten up their play. Santana's own fielding miscue contributed to a four-run fourth inning Tuesday against the Brewers in the Mets' 6-3 loss. After rookie center fielder Fernando Martinez slipped and missed a flyball earlier in the inning, Santana -- backing up home plate on a throw -- retrieved a throw bounced by shortstop Alex Cora past catcher Omir Santos. The ace then fired the ball over third baseman David Wright and into the outfield to allow Milwaukee's Ryan Braun to trot home.

After the inning, a fired-up Santana was in the visitors' dugout at Miller Park, prodding his teammates to pick up the play.

"Just to let everyone know that we need to play better baseball," Santana said. "If we don't play better baseball, we're not going to win. If we don't make better plays, if we don't execute it the way it's supposed to be executed, if we don't pitch, or throw the right pitch, we're not going to win. That was about it. I wasn't trying to get on anybody or anything. It was more a general thing, but we have to play better."

METS 1, BREWERS 0: Mike Pelfrey tossed 7 2/3 scoreless innings as the Mets snapped a season-high five-game losing streak and avoided a sweep at Milwaukee. Ryan Church's RBI single in the sixth inning off Yovani Gallardo scored Luis Castillo.

NOTES, QUOTES

--One day after manager Jerry Manuel announced he would give 3B David Wright just his second game off of the season Wednesday, Manuel reversed course and started Wright. The manager indicated that using Wright had more to do with his three hits Tuesday, including a two-run homer off Milwaukee's Mike Burns, than the Mets' desperate need for a win. The Mets entered the series finale on a season-high five-game losing streak. Wright went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts Wednesday.

--Pitching coach Dan Warthen was ejected in the fourth inning Tuesday by plate umpire Jim Wolf. The ejection came after Warthen visited LHP Johan Santana on the mound with the bases loaded and jawed at the ump.

--The Mets finished June with a 9-18 record. It was their worst month since going 7-19 in September 2003 under Art Howe.

--Rookie CF Fernando Martinez belted his first major-league homer off Brewers RHP Todd Coffey with two outs in the ninth inning Tuesday night.

BY THE NUMBERS: 5 -- Left-handed relievers used by the Mets this season, while trying to find an effective second southpaw to team with Pedro Feliciano in the bullpen. The others: Ken Takahashi, Jon Switzer, Casey Fossum and Pat Misch.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "They talked about me jumping off the bridge. I'd have to go find it then." -- Manager Jerry Manuel, when asked if it would set off alarm bells if his team dropped below .500.

ROSTER REPORT

--RHP Francisco Rodriguez notched his 21st save in 23 chances Tuesday. Rodriguez had not had a save since last Thursday because of the Mets' five-game losing streak.

--INF/OF Nick Evans on Tuesday made his first start in left field at the major league level this season, and he went 1-for-3 with a walk. Evans had started at first base four times since a June 19 promotion.

--RHP Mike Pelfrey's 7 2/3 innings Wednesday against the Brewers matched a season high. He went that distance against Florida on May 29. Pelfrey also recorded his major league-high fifth balk.

--RHP Tim Redding faces the Pirates in a makeup game Thursday in Pittsburgh. After that start, Redding and LHP Oliver Perez may share a rotation spot -- with one pitcher starting and the other going about four innings in relief.

MEDICAL WATCH:

RHP John Maine (right shoulder fatigue) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 7. He made a rehab appearance with Class A St. Lucie on June 22. He was scratched from a June 27 start with Class A Brooklyn.

CF Carlos Beltran (bone bruise in right knee) went on the 15-day disabled list June 22. He is not expected back before the All-Star break, but he won't need surgery.

LHP Oliver Perez (right knee inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 3. He pitched in extended spring training games May 16 and May 21. He began a rehab assignment with Class AAA Buffalo on May 26, but he was scratched from a May 31 start because of continued knee trouble. He began a new rehab assignment with Class A St. Lucie on June 22. He pitched for Class A Brooklyn on June 28, and he will make a final rehab start for Buffalo on July 3.

RHP J.J. Putz (bone spur in right elbow) went on the 60-day disabled list June 5. He had surgery June 9, and he is expected to miss 10 to 12 weeks.

OF Angel Pagan (strained right groin) went on the 15-day disabled list June 1.

INF Ramon Martinez (fractured left pinkie) went on the 15-day disabled list June 3, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on June 19. He had surgery June 4.

SS Jose Reyes (right calf tendinitis) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 21. He left an extended spring training game June 3 and was diagnosed with a small hamstring tear. He could return in July.

1B Carlos Delgado (labrum tear in right hip) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 11, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on June 5. He had surgery May 19, and he won't return before late July.