Atlanta @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 23, 2013 ) Atlanta 1, NY Mets 4

Ike Davis has been the poster boy for all that had plagued the New York Mets this season. The slugging first baseman has been the target of hostile New York fans due to a batting average that has yet to reach the Mendoza line (.200), eventually leading to a demotion to the minors. Davis finally gave the home crowd reason to cheer with a go-ahead double Tuesday that enabled the Mets to level their series with the Atlanta Braves at one game apiece.

The loss did not prove costly in the standings for the Braves, who maintain a healthy seven-game cushion atop the National League East. Still, it was another uninspiring performance from Atlanta, which is 8-10 in July and has managed a total of four runs and 22 hits in the past three games. “We’ve got to do the little things better,” shortstop Andrelton Simmons said. “We can’t rely on the long ball every day."

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Atlanta), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Tim Hudson (7-7, 4.08 ERA) vs. Mets RH Jeremy Hefner (4-7, 3.93)

Hudson turned his season around once the calendar turned to July, winning all three starts this month following a disastrous stretch that saw him go 0-6 over his 10 previous outings. He has pitched at least seven innings in all three wins, although he did yield four runs in each of his last two starts. He is 1-0 in two starts versus the Mets this year, giving up four runs in 14 1/3 innings.

Hefner's string of strong performances came to a crashing halt last time out versus Philadelphia, when he was battered for eight runs on 10 hits in two-plus innings. That came in the wake of an eight-start stretch in which Hefner allowed two earned runs or fewer and pitched six innings in all but one outing. He held the Braves to two runs over six innings on May 24 but did not factor in the decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. Davis has RBIs in consecutive games for the first time since April 18-19.

2. Hudson is 16-10 with a 3.52 ERA in 29 career starts against New York.

3. Hefner is 1-4 in nine starts at Citi Field this season.

PREDICTION: Mets 4, Braves 3