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Jul 18, 2009 - 4:50 AM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

New York (42-46) at Atlanta (44-45), 4:10 p.m. EDT

The New York Mets hoped they were turning a corner offensively with impressive efforts in their final two games before the All-Star break.

Their first two games of the second half have shown they still have a long way to go.

Johan Santana is rather familiar with New York's offensive woes, and he'll need some help if he hopes to end a personal four-game road losing streak when the Mets and the Atlanta Braves continue their four-game series Saturday night.

New York's inability to produce runs was the main factor behind the team losing 11 of 14 from June 26-July 10 to fall 6 1/2 games behind Philadelphia in the NL East.

The Mets (42-47) totaled 13 runs in a pair of wins to head into the All-Star break, but have come out just as ineffective as they were previously. New York mustered six hits in a 5-3 loss to the Braves (45-45) on Thursday, then were held to two hits in an 11-0 rout Friday at Turner Field.

In addition to the loss, Gary Sheffield left in the fifth inning with a hamstring injury and won't start Saturday, adding to the woes of a team already missing Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado and Jose Reyes.

"I have to say there is frustration," New York manager Jerry Manuel said. "To a degree, I am frustrated."

Santana (10-7, 3.09 ERA) certainly can attest to the Mets' inability to score. In his seven losses, they've scored a total of 12 runs, including just four during his four-game road losing streak that dates to June 2.

New York gave him some help last Saturday, three days before Santana appeared in his fourth All-Star game. The left-hander gave up five hits over seven innings, striking out five, and earned a 4-0 victory over visiting Cincinnati.

Santana has never beaten Atlanta in six career starts, going 0-4 despite his 2.31 ERA. He gave up two runs - both unearned - and seven hits over 6 1-3 innings May 11 at Citi Field in an 8-3 loss.

Chipper Jones is 5 for 11 (.455) lifetime against Santana, while Matt Diaz is 10 for 18 (.556) with a homer.

Jones had two hits and scored three runs Friday, improving his average versus the Mets this season to .381 (8 for 21). Brian McCann, who homered and drove in four, is hitting .444 (8 for 18).

"We swung the bats great tonight," McCann told the Braves' official Web site. "Things are starting to come together."

The one who has feasted the most upon New York's pitching, however, has been Yunel Escobar. The shortstop went 3 for 4 with three RBIs on Friday, upping his average against the Mets to .519 (14 for 27) with a homer and seven RBIs in seven games.

Kenshin Kawakami (5-6, 4.26) will try to become the latest starter to take advantage of New York's weakened lineup, and he'll be coming off one of his more effective outings. Kawakami limited the Chicago Cubs to a run and four hits over six innings in a 4-1 win at Wrigley Field on July 8.

The Japanese veteran struggled in his first month in the majors, posting a 7.06 ERA in April, but he's 4-3 with a 3.36 ERA in his last 12 starts.

"From Opening Day, I wasn't able to throw my own game," Kawakami told the Braves' official Web site. "In June, I was able to get it going."

Kawakami gave up two runs and eight hits in five innings, striking out seven, in a 4-3 loss to the Mets at Turner Field on May 5.