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Braves-Mets Preview

Apr 24, 2010 - 4:16 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Atlanta (8-7) at New York (7-9), 1:10 p.m. EDT

Ike Davis has provided a spark for the New York Mets, which has turned around its early struggles at Citi Field.

The Mets look to move back to .500 for the first time since the opening week of the season as they continue a series with the Atlanta Braves on Saturday.

New York (8-9) opened the three-game set against Atlanta (8-8) with a 5-2 victory on Friday to improve to 4-1 on its 10-game homestand. The Mets, who will look to win their season-high third straight Saturday, had taken three of four from the Chicago Cubs for their first series win this year.

Davis has certainly factored in the improved play during the homestand. The rookie hit his first home run in Friday's win and is hitting .389 (7 for 18) in his first five games.

"It felt really good," said Davis, who was called up from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday. "I don't know if I've made a big impact or not, but the team is starting to play well."

While Davis is garnering much of the attention, the Mets' turnaround at home may be most attributed to improved pitching. Although John Maine left in the fourth inning because of elbow pain Friday, he was picked up by the bullpen, which gave up one run and three hits over the final 5 1-3 innings.

New York has a 2.40 ERA in the last five games after posting a 3.77 ERA in the first 12.

The Mets, who haven't been at .500 since owning a record of 2-2, look for another solid effort from Jonathan Niese (0-1, 4.32 ERA), who is coming off a promising start against the Cubs on Monday.

Niese gave up one unearned run in 5 2-3 innings of the 6-1 victory. New York had lost his previous two starts after he gave up eight runs in 11 innings.

The left-hander is 1-0 with a 3.55 ERA in two starts against the Braves, who have batted .212 and scored five runs during a current three-game skid. They struck out 12 times on Friday, with leadoff hitter Nate McClouth going 0 for 5 with four strikeouts.

Omar Infante had three hits and two runs in his first start since April 11, but also committed one of Atlanta's four errors.

The Braves will try to bound back when they send Jair Jurrjens (0-1, 6.06) to the mound. He pitched eight innings in a 4-3 win over Colorado on Sunday, giving up three runs and five hits. The right-hander was coming off a dismal start in his previous outing in which he gave up eight runs in 3 1-3 innings.

Jurrjens will try to extend his domination of the Mets in his first start against them this year. He is 6-1 lifetime against them, including 4-0 with a 1.60 ERA in five starts last year.

The Braves have been under .500 just once this year - owning a 3-4 record on April 12.