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Mets-Braves Preview

Jul 19, 2009 - 1:40 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

New York (42-47) at Atlanta (45-45), 6:05 p.m. EDT

Gary Sheffield believes his hamstring injury won't keep him out for long. That's a rare positive outlook for a hobbled New York Mets slugger.

Though they're coming off a successful game without Sheffield, the banged-up Mets desperately need the veteran back in their lineup as they conclude a four-game series with the Atlanta Braves on Sunday night.

New York (43-47) had high hopes for the season, but injuries to Carlos Beltran (knee), Carlos Delgado (hip) and Jose Reyes (calf) have put its playoff chances in serious doubt. The Mets can hardly afford to lose Sheffield, who has replaced Delgado in the cleanup spot and has a team-high 10 homers.

Sheffield sat out the Mets' 5-1 win over the Braves (45-46) on Saturday due to a right hamstring injury. The right fielder, who left in the fifth inning of Friday night's 11-0 loss to Atlanta after cramping up, said he's still "a little sore" but expects to be back soon.

Jeremy Reed replaced Sheffield in right Saturday and went 0 for 4, but New York snapped a streak of 19 consecutive scoreless innings with two runs in the sixth. The Mets scored more than four runs for just the fourth time in their last 20 games.

A strong start from Johan Santana was also a big boost for New York, which had lost 13 of 18.

"We still have a long way to go," Santana said. "We need to get on a roll."

Fernando Nieve (3-3, 3.03 ERA) will take his turn in the Mets' rotation Sunday. The right-hander has lost his last three starts, getting a total of one run of offensive backing during that stretch.

He allowed three runs and eight hits in six innings as New York lost 3-0 to Cincinnati on July 10.

Nieve is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA in one start and three relief appearances versus the Braves.

Atlanta will be looking to bounce back after going 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position in its second loss in six games. The Braves scored a combined 23 runs in their previous three contests.

Atlanta's Nate McLouth is in an 0-for-15 slump, and has batted .190 (12 for 63) at Turner Field this season.

Javier Vazquez (6-7, 2.95) would certainly like to see a breakout game from McLouth and the rest of the lineup. The right-hander is 2-3 over his last eight starts despite a 1.96 ERA.

Atlanta has given him an average of 1.8 runs to work with over that span.

The Braves lineup did just enough to help Vazquez earn a win in a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on July 7. He gave up one run and five hits while striking out six in seven innings.

Vazquez is 8-8 with a 3.47 ERA in 22 starts versus New York.

Luis Castillo has had more success against Vazquez than any other Met, batting .343 (24 for 70). The second baseman has been New York's hottest hitter over the last two weeks, going 12 for 29 (.414) in his last nine games.