Niese returns for Mets against Mariners
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(SportsNetwork.com) - Jon Niese makes his return to the New York Mets' rotation on Monday night for the opener of a three-game series with the Seattle Mariners.
The left-hander is set for his first start since July 4 as he landed on the disabled list because of shoulder inflammation. He is 5-4 with a 2.96 earned run average on the season, having won back-to-back starts before a no-decision in his previous outing prior to going on the DL.
Niese, 27, has never faced Seattle and his return will push Daisuke Matsuzaka back to the bullpen.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Mets have lost two in a row following an 8-1 stretch and were no-hit for 7 2/3 innings by San Diego's Odrisamer Despaigne before an eventual walk-off 2-1 loss on Sunday.
"When you vary your speeds from 65-to-93, that's tough to get a good pitch to hit," Mets manager Terry Collins said of Despaigne.
Seattle also took a tough loss on Sunday, falling 6-5 to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the rubber match of a three-game set. The Mariners led by a run going into the ninth before yielding a pair of runs.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}With their sixth loss in nine games, the Mariners sit nine games back of first place in the AL West.
All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano was not in the lineup on Sunday because of a nagging hamstring issue, but could return to action tonight.
His presence in the lineup would be welcomed by struggling left-hander Roenis Elias, who tries to avoid a fourth straight losing start tonight.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Elias got off to a strong start this year, but has pitched to a 10.05 ERA over his personal skid. The 25-year-old lefty lasted just 3 1/3 innings versus Minnesota on July 9, charged with six earned runs on seven hits and three walks.
"It was a tough night for him ... just no command," Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said of Elias.
Now 7-8 with a 4.54 ERA on the year, Elias faces the Mets for the first time looking to improve on his 2-5 mark and 5.14 ERA in 10 starts at home.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Seattle has won seven of nine versus New York dating back to 2003 and is hosting the Mets for the first time since a three-game sweep from June 17-19, 2005.