• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Mets looking for strong outing from Martinez

Sep 27, 2006 - 4:11 PM NY Mets (93-64) at Atlanta (76-81) 7:35 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Pedro Martinez hopes to show his teammates he is ready for the postseason.

The New York Mets turn to their ace to snap a three-game losing streak when they face the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday.

Martinez (9-7, 4.08 ERA) needs to prove he can shoulder the load in the playoffs. Since coming off the disabled list with a strained right calf muscle on September 15, the three-time Cy Young Award winner has pitched a total of eight innings in two starts, giving up eight runs.

The Braves blanked the Mets, 12-0, on Tuesday behind eight strong innings by John Smoltz. Atlanta failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 1990.

Tim Hudson (12-12, 4.96), who has not won since defeating the Chicago Cubs on September 8, starts on Wednesday for the Braves.

The Mets, owners of the best record in the National League, have lost nine of their last 12 games.