Gallardo strikes out 12, but Pelfrey helps Mets break losing streak with 1-0 win over Brewers

Pelfrey helps Mets break slide, beat Brewers 1-0

MILWAUKEE — Mike Pelfrey bailed the New York Mets out of a season-worst losing streak, overcoming a career-high 12 strikeouts by young Milwaukee Brewers ace Yovani Gallardo in a 1-0 victory Wednesday.

Pelfrey (6-3) gave up six hits and two walks in 7 2-3 innings, and Ryan Church came through with an RBI single in the sixth as the Mets stopped a five-game losing streak and avoided a series sweep by the Brewers.

Gallardo (8-5) gave up five hits in seven innings. The Brewers completed a 5-4 homestand and will travel to Chicago for a four-game series against the Cubs beginning Thursday.

Pelfrey allowed a single and a walk with two outs in the eighth, but Sean Green got J.J Hardy to ground into a forceout at third. Francisco Rodriguez pitched the ninth, allowing a leadoff single to Ryan Braun before retiring the side for his 21st save.

New York (38-39), which backed Pelfrey with a pair of double plays, was coming off a 9-18 record in June, its worst month in nearly six years. The Mets are without injured stars Carlos Beltran (knee), Jose Reyes (calf, hamstring) and Carlos Delgado (hip).

Gallardo’s 12 strikeouts were the most by a pitcher against the Mets since John Smoltz struck out 15 for the Braves on April 10, 2005, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The Mets also won that game, 6-1.

Gallardo had six strikeouts in first three innings — including a pair by David Wright in his first two at-bats, on his way to three strikeouts against Gallardo on an 0 for 4 afternoon.

It was a frustrating afternoon all around for Wright, who slammed his glove into the bench after making a throwing error in the second inning, then flung his helmet to the ground after taking a called strike three from Gallardo in the third.

But the Mets finally broke through in the sixth when Luis Castillo led off with a ground-rule double, losing a shot at a triple when a woman wearing a Hardy T-shirt fell onto the field trying to reach for the ball.

Gallardo then struck out Wright — Gallardo’s 10th of the game and Wright’s third in three at-bats. But Church sent a grounder past the outstretched glove of second baseman Craig Counsell for a single, scoring Castillo.

Church was thrown out trying to steal, but Gallardo walked Nick Evans before getting Daniel Murphy to fly out to the warning track in right field.

Prince Fielder led off the seventh with a single, then went to second on a balk by Pelfrey — Pelfrey’s fifth balk of the season. But Fielder was thrown out trying to take third base on a missed bunt by Corey Hart. Pelfrey then got Hart to ground out, then struck out Gamel to end the inning.

NOTES: Plate umpire Brian O’Nora went to the dugout in the bottom of the fourth to have his eye looked at by a trainer but quickly returned. … Gallardo struck out 11 in a victory over Pittsburgh on April 29.