New York @ Atlanta preview
Turner Field
Last Meeting ( May 17, 2010 ) NY Mets 3, Atlanta 2
Something about the Atlanta Braves brings out the best in the New York Mets - or at least their pitching staff.
The Mets have allowed only five runs in four games against the Braves this season - all of them wins - a trend they hope to continue when they wrap up a two-game series at Turner Field on Tuesday.
New York pitchers have a 1.41 ERA against Atlanta this year, their lowest against any team.
In Monday's series opener, Mike Pelfrey became the first Mets starting pitcher to win a game this month, going 7 2/3 innings and giving up two runs on seven hits.
The Mets hope ace left-hander Johan Santana can make it two in a row on Tuesday. Santana hasn't recorded a win since April 27, when he threw six scoreless innings to beat the Dodgers.
After a pair of uncharacteristic starts, Santana was back to his usual ways in his last outing. He allowed just one unearned run on six hits over seven innings Thursday at Florida, but the Mets dropped a 2-1 decision.
That sort of tough luck has characterized his career against the Braves. In eight starts against Atlanta, he has a 2.21 ERA but a 1-5 record. Santana's teams have scored three or fewer runs in seven of his eight starts against the Braves.
If recent trends hold, the Mets might not give Santana much support on Tuesday, either. New York has averaged only 3.44 runs in Santana's eight starts this year, and the Mets have averaged just four runs in their 16 games in May. They managed only five hits Monday, though one of those belonged to Jason Bay, who extended his hitting streak to 11 games.
They'll try to jump-start the offense against 24-year-old right-hander Kris Medlen, who is making his second start of the season and the sixth of his career. Medlen has worked mostly out of the bullpen this year, compiling a 1-1 record and a 2.35 ERA.
In his only start of the season, Medlen lasted only 4 1/3 innings against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 8, allowing one run on nine hits. The Braves won 4-1, but Medlen didn't pitch the requisite five innings to earn the win.
Medlen has faced the Mets four times, all in relief. He hasn't allowed a run in 6 1/3 innings against New York.
The Braves' offense sputtered Monday, but it has been solid as Atlanta has won five of seven. Second baseman Martin Prado, the reigning NL player of the week, has led the way with multiple hits in six of his past eight games. Prado went 2 for 3 and scored a run Monday.
Outfielder Eric Hinske, getting more playing time while Matt Diaz is on the disabled list, also has been hot. Hinske went 3-for-4 with a homer Monday and is 12-of-21 in his past six games.