35 Dillon Gee, SP

Mets starting pitcher Dillon Gee allowed less than four runs for just the third time in eight starts Sunday against the Cubs. Gee was in line to take the loss before New York rallied for a 4-3 win.

Gee was battled in a scoreless duel until opposing pitcher Travis Wood connected for a two-run homer off the right-hander in the fifth inning. Gee then allowed a solo home run to Ryan Sweeney in the sixth inning. He was charged with three runs on eight hits and one walk, while striking out six in five-plus innings. Gee's ERA actually declined from 6.13 to 6.04.

Gee, who is winless in his last three starts, will return to action Saturday against the Braves. Gee is 3-2 with a 3.13 ERA in eight career starts against Atlanta.

Mets starting pitcher Dillon Gee admitted after Tuesday's poor outing against the Cardinals he is "kind of lost" about how he's performing. Despite the negativity, Mets manager Terry Collins said Gee, who has a 6.13 ERA, will make his next start Sunday against the Cubs and pitcher Collin McHugh was not promoted to replace him in the rotation.

"As we sit here, at this particular time, I don't have an answer for you," Collins said about Gee's struggles, per ESPN. "Obviously this guy has gotten to the major leagues. He's become a very, very good major-league pitcher with the command of his stuff. When he pitches good, he's a guy who can throw any pitch at any time. He keeps the hitters off balance. And he's not throwing strikes. Is it due to the surgery? I can't answer that. I don't have that answer. I asked [pitching coach] Dan [Warthen] if the delivery is the same. Dan said it is, or minute changes, which happen to everybody. He's just not making the pitches he normally makes."

Mets starting pitcher Dillon Gee, who pitched well his last time out, took a step back as he suffered his fifth loss of the season Tuesday night against the Cardinals.

Gee (2-5) surrendered a run-scoring single to Matt Holliday and a two-run double to Allen Craig in the opening frame. He gave up three more runs in the third and was charged with six runs -- five earned -- and nine hits over four innings of work. He struck out five and walked three in a 10-4 defeat.

"I don't know what to say, I didn't feel all that bad tonight," Gee said. "I'm a ground-ball guy and I think seven ground balls got through. I don't know what else to do."

Gee saw his ERA rise to 6.13 after Tuesday's start. He has permitted four earned runs or more in five of his first eight starts this season. The right-hander is scheduled to start Sunday on the road against the Cubs.