Mets-Rockies, BoSox-Rangers PPD

Mets-Rockies postponed
New York's game against the Colorado Rockies was postponed by rain Monday night, forcing the Mets to play three doubleheaders within a four-day span.

The Mets and Rockies will make up the rain out as part of a doubleheader Tuesday at 5:10 p.m. EDT. Because of rain earlier this season, the Mets already have doubleheaders against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday and Friday nights.

New York returned from a nine-game West Coast road trip a half-game behind the Chicago Cubs in the NL wild-card race. All-day rains and a forecast for continuing showers caused the Mets to make the postponement about 11/2 hours before gametime.

Boston-Texas rained out

With newly acquired Pete Schourek waiting in the bullpen, Avery was pounded for six runs in three innings Sunday. Manager Jimy Williams said afterward he wasn't ready to make a change.

"We're certainly going to take care of it the best way," he said. "If there is (a change), I'm sure we're going to let you know in due time."

Avery had two solid outings in a row before allowing 14 Minnesota runners in Boston's 6-3 loss on Sunday. He declined to talk to reporters.

"Tell people what Carlos (Reyes) did and (Greg) Swindell," he said. "They don't want to hear about me."

The rotation may be strained some more following Monday's rain out against Texas, which forced the teams to play a split doubleheader Tuesday.

Pedro Martinez will face John Burkett in the opener at 1:05 p.m. EDT, and Bret Saberhagen and Rick Helling will match up at 6:05 p.m. Monday's tickets will be honored for the Tuesday night game.

Schourek was purchased from Houston this month after the Astros acquired Randy Johnson. Schourek has been best as a starter, though there was no room for him in Boston's rotation -- yet.

Avery is 8-0 when he has lasted more than five innings, 0-5 when he doesn't. In all, he has a 5.49 ERA.

"The previous three times, he pitched OK. But today he regressed," pitching coach Joe Kerrigan said Sunday. "Our starters need to answer the challenge here a little bit so our (relievers) can be more rested. We need to see some seven- or eight-inning performances out of our starters."

The Red Sox haven't had a complete game in more than a month, since Martinez went the distance against the Indians July 15. In the last week, no starter has made it more than 6 1-3 innings.

"They're not going to be perfect all the time," first baseman Mo Vaughn said. "Everybody's going to have their lapses."

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