Mets 5 - 0 Braves
Final
  for this game

Braves try to resuscitate postseason hopes versus Mets

Sep 19, 2014 - 3:02 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Atlanta Braves are hoping to emerge from an ill- timed slump and keep their playoff hopes alive as they begin a three-game set on Friday night with the New York Mets.

The Braves had to watch the Washington Nationals win the National League East on their field, losing the first two games of a set with the Nats before salvaging Wednesday's finale 3-1.

The victory snapped Atlanta's five-game slide and was only its second victory in 10 games. The 2013 NL East winners are now six games back of a wild card spot with 10 games to play, though they do face the current occupant of that playoff spot, the Pittsburgh Pirates, for four games starting next week.

It is unknown if Atlanta will have outfielder Jason Heyward in the lineup tonight after he was hit by a pitch on his left thumb in Wednesday's win. X- rays showed there was no fracture, however.

Also, shortstop Andrelton Simmons exited after the third inning due to a sore left ankle.

Julio Teheran was a victim of Atlanta's recent slump and will try to avoid a fourth straight losing start tonight.

The right-hander saw his personal skid extended on Saturday at Texas, though all three runs he allowed in the 3-2 setback were unearned. Teheran actually took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, but was undone in the frame by Justin Upton's two-out error.

Teheran did last eight innings and struck out six, but still fell to 13-12 with a 2.89 earned run average this season.

"He went from no hits to giving up a few hits to losing the ballgame, but he pitched well," said Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez.

Teheran has not won since beating the Mets on Aug. 27 with 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball, moving to 3-1 against them lifetime with a 3.38 ERA in seven meetings (6 starts).

Zach Wheeler counters for the Mets and lost to Teheran on Aug. 27, giving up three runs -- two earned -- over seven innings of the 3-2 decision. He is 3-2 in seven career starts against the Braves with a 3.35 ERA.

The right-hander struggled in a loss to Washington on Saturday, charged with six runs on seven hits and two walks over just four innings. He is 10-10 on the year with a 3.61 ERA.

New York has lost four of its past five, including a 4-3 setback to Miami on Wednesday. Dillon Gee was charged with all four runs on seven hits over 6 2/3 innings.

"His numbers are dictated by the fact that he has just not commanded the baseball like he knows how," said Mets manager Terry Collins.

The Braves are 9-7 versus the Mets this season.






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