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Niese holds Dodgers to three runs over seven

Things are starting to look up a little bit for the Mets. After ending their six-game losing streak with a breakout performance by rookie right-hander Matt Harvey, who struck out 11 D-backs in winning his big league debut on Thursday, they look to record a second straight win for the first time this month.

Harvey's record-setting night came not a moment too soon, as the Mets have dropped each of their four series since the All-Star break, with two wins in 13 games.

Harvey delivered 5 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and three walks while becoming the first player since 1900 to strike out 10 and record two hits in his first Major League game. His 11 K's were also a Mets record for a debuting pitcher, a testament to his approach against the unsuspecting D-backs.

"When you're facing a guy who's making his Major League debut, you're kind of licking your chops a little bit," D-backs outfielder Jason Kubel said. "But that wasn't the case today. Hopefully he would be a little amped and miss his spots and leave some balls out over the plate, but he just didn't do that."

Jon Niese will try to keep the momentum going for the Mets. The left-hander is coming off his second consecutive quality start on Sunday. After holding the Dodgers to three runs on eight hits in seven innings, Niese has a 3.59 ERA and enters Friday's game with one loss in his last three starts. Throw out a July 8 drubbing to the Cubs, who tagged him for seven runs, and Niese is 3-0 with a 2.03 ERA since June 22 (eight ER in 35 1/3 innings).

Opposing Niese at Chase Field will be Josh Collmenter, who allowed two runs in six innings against the Astros on Sunday and is 2-0 with a 1.71 ERA in July. After going 0-2 with a 9.82 ERA in four April starts, Collmenter has recorded a 1.51 ERA.

D-backs: Wheeler adjusting to the bigs
Since his promotion from Triple-A Reno on Friday, D-backs third baseman Ryan Wheeler has admittedly experienced more changes off the field than on it in his first Major League stint.

Just four days after being called up, the 24-year-old saw the club trade its previous mainstay at third base, Ryan Roberts. The move freed the D-backs to give more playing time to Wheeler, who entered Thursday with nine at-bats in the big leagues.

"I know that will open up opportunities for me, but the way that I come to the field and approach the game won't change at all," WheeIer said. "I think this shows they are confident in their system. They are giving me my shot now."

• Just after the Trade Deadline passes on Tuesday, a contingent of D-backs front office executives will spend a week in Japan promoting the Arizona franchise and visiting several baseball landmarks across the country.

Club president and CEO Derrick Hall, general manager Kevin Towers and special assistant to the president/CEO Luis Gonzalez will headline the group of representatives making the tour that will last until Aug. 7.

The trip will include meetings with the Nippon Professional Baseball Commissioner's Office, MLB Japan and public appearances at the Major League Baseball Road Show in the tsunami-affected town of Ishinomaki.

"The D-backs have always had a presence in Japan, and we consider our franchise to be a truly global brand," Hall said. "This is a tremendous opportunity to expand the club's reach, renew our friendships and have a lasting impact in the community abroad."

Mets: Johnson-Harvey battery stays intact
Rob Johnson joined the Mets on Thursday in part because they want some offense from their backup catcher. Mike Nickeas wasn't hitting. Johnson might.

But a significant part of why the Mets recalled Johnson prior to their series opener at Chase Field was because of his history with Harvey. They spent much of this season together at Triple-A Buffalo, where Harvey counted Johnson among his primary mentors.

"A lot of it had to do with Harvey," manager Terry Collins said of the transaction that resulted in Nickeas' demotion. "We thought Rob would be the guy to catch him."

That will not necessarily be the case going forward, as Harvey, 23, grows accustomed to pitching in the big leagues. But for the right-hander's debut, the Mets wanted to make sure the atmosphere around him was as comfortable as possible.

Worth noting
• Collins confirmed that Jeremy Hefner will remain in the rotation, making his second start Monday in San Francisco. Hefner struck out seven over six innings Wednesday against the Nationals, allowing three runs (two earned). He should remain a starter until Johan Santana is ready to return from the disabled list, likely early next month.

• Frank Francisco will make his second rehab appearance on Friday for Double-A Binghamton, but Collins said the Mets will not activate the closer from the DL until he shows some consistency on his Minor League assignment. Francisco gave up two runs over two-thirds of an inning Wednesday in his first rehab appearance.

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