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Braves-Mets Preview

May 2, 2016 - 10:08 PM The New York Mets had their eight-game win streak snapped while Michael Conforto was finally held in check.

The Mets and Conforto will try to start new streaks Monday night at home when Bartolo Colon faces the Atlanta Braves to open a three-game series.

New York (15-8) fell 6-1 to Madison Bumgarner and San Francisco at home Sunday to end its streak. The lefty-swinging Conforto went 0 for 5 with three at-bats against Bumgarner and another against a southpaw.

The outfielder had hit safely in every game of the streak, going 15 for 31 with 10 RBIs, but he is just 3 for 16 off lefties while batting .381 against right-handers. Manager Terry Collins isn't sure he wants to start him too many times versus southpaws.

"It all depends on what the situations are," Collins said. "If he shows us that he can start doing some damage against lefties, he'll get some playing time."

That won't be an issue in this series since Atlanta (6-18) is starting three right-handers.

One reason to like the Mets' chances of capturing the opener is Colon (1-1, 3.42 ERA), who went 4-0 with a 3.66 ERA in five starts against the Braves last year. He seeks his 220th victory to move past Pedro Martinez for second among Dominican-born pitchers.

A.J. Pierzynski has the fourth-most plate appearances in the majors against Colon, hitting .274 in 62 at-bats. Nick Markakis owns a .227 average in this matchup.

Colon has yielded three runs in each of his last two outings, lasting five innings before the bullpen cost him his second victory by blowing a three-run lead in Tuesday's 4-3 defeat to Cincinnati.

The Braves have called up Mike Foltynewicz to make his season debut in this contest. The right-hander has posted a 2.05 ERA in four starts at Triple-A Gwinnett.

Foltynewicz went 4-6 with a 5.71 ERA last year for the Braves in 18 appearances, including 15 starts. His lone start against the Mets was a 10-8 defeat June 14 in which he lasted 4 1/3 innings and was charged with six runs.

New York's Lucas Duda is 3 for 4 with a homer in this matchup.

It was one of seven moves made by the Braves to shake out of this funk. Infielder Reid Brignac, infielder-outfielder Chase d'Arnaud and Matt Tuiasosopo were also called up from Gwinnett, and Brignac is batting sixth and playing second base for the opener.

The Mets have won 14 of 20 versus the Braves, sweeping three road games April 22-24. Curtis Granderson went 6 for 13 with two homers and six runs scored in that series.

Those contests are part of a dismal 1-12 home start for Atlanta, which has found solace in splitting four games to start a trip that's been shortened to seven due to a rainout in Chicago this weekend. The Braves beat the Cubs 4-3 in 10 innings Sunday.

Atlanta prevailed with a 24-man roster after the club called up Emilio Bonifacio and optioned reliever Chris Withrow to the minors. Bonifacio wasn't allowed on the 25-man roster due to a technicality.

"We're going to battle with what we've got," said Mallex Smith, who had three hits with a single in the 10th.

Braves shortstop Erick Aybar has baseball's worst OPS among qualifying players at .377. He's 4 for 38 on the road and hitless in nine at-bats versus the Mets this season.