Pelfrey lost the most in rainout

The pitcher was supposed to be called up to start the second game for the Mets.

NEW YORK (AP) — The biggest loser in Thursday night’s rain-out of the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets was pitcher Mike Pelfrey.

Pelfrey was supposed to be recalled from Triple-A New Orleans to start the second game of the Mets’ day-night doubleheader today at Philadelphia.

Instead, he’ll stay in the minors and the Mets will start Orlando Hernandez (3-3) in the first game and John Maine (8-4) in the second. Hernandez had been scheduled to start Thursday’s game against the Cardinals.

Pelfrey started the season in the Mets rotation but dropped five straight decisions before being sent to the minors on May 13. He is 2-2 in seven starts with a 3.44 ERA for Triple-A New Orleans and “learning to pitch,” according to New York manager Willie Randolph.

Had they brought up Pelfrey, the Mets would have had to make a roster move. The rain-out eliminated that necessity.

Sosa, Perez in rotation

After Hernandez and Maine, the Mets will throw Jorge Sosa (6-3), who replaced Pelfrey in the rotation, and Oliver Perez (7-6) to complete the Phillies series.

Originally, Maine was scheduled for the day game and Hernandez in the night game. But Hernandez requested the switch.

“I’m pitching tomorrow,” Hernandez said. “That’s it. No comment.”

The rainout pushed St. Louis starter Adam Wainwright back a day. Manager Tony La Russa said Wainwright would start Friday night against Cincinnati but did not announce his plans for the rest of the weekend against the Reds.

Because the rainout came in the Cardinals’ last scheduled game in New York this season, the teams will have to make up the game on an mutually agreeable open date later in the year.

“We have to come back in July or August,” La Russa said.