MLB

Manuel won’t skip Pelfrey after all

PHILADELPHIA — After listening to his “pitching people,” manager Jerry Manuel decided it was best not to skip Mike Pelfrey’s turn in the rotation on Tuesday.

The struggling Pelfrey will get the ball against the Rockies at Citi Field, hoping a change in mechanics can end a winless streak that dates to June 25. Manuel made the decision after consulting with pitching coach Dan Warthen and bullpen coach Randy Niemann.

“In baseball terminology, it’s kind of like [Pelfrey’s] arm speed is not the same on all his pitches,” Manuel said before the Mets edged the Phillies 1-0 last night. “That means he can be easily picked up when he slows the arm down to throw a breaking ball or a split. He’s very recognizable to good hitters.”

BOX SCORE

* Mike Hessman got the start at first base with lefty Cole Hamels on the mound for the Phillies. He went 0-for-3. Manuel said he doesn’t envision a platoon with Ike Davis. Hessman had a pinch-hit homer on Friday.

* General manager Omar Minaya said it was difficult parting with veteran Alex Cora, who was released to make room for Ruben Tejada.

“I told him that someday he’s going to be sitting in my chair, telling a player that he’s been released, because I have all the confidence in the world Alex Cora is going to be a general manager one day,”Minaya said.

“He’s a pro. The good thing is that it’s early and I’m pretty sure there is a club out there that is going to be interested in him.”

* Manuel said he likely will give Carlos Beltran the day off today and start Angel Pagan in center field. Fernando Martinez would start at one corner outfield spot with Jeff Francoeur or Chris Carter in the other. Beltran went 1-for-4 with a double last night, but he is batting only .205 since joining the lineup 31⁄2 weeks ago.

* Francisco Rodriguez’s five-out save provided a lift for the struggling Mets bullpen, which ad a 3-6 record and 4.87 ERA in the first 21 games after the All-Star break.

K-Rod’s clutch performance came after Bobby Parnell and Pedro Feliciano combined to allow six runs in the eighth inning of the Mets’ 7-5 loss to the Phillies on Friday. That marked the fifth time since the break that the Mets’ bullpen had allowed three or more runs in a game