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Braves-Mets Preview

Apr 24, 2010 - 11:01 PM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

Atlanta (8-8) at New York (8-9), 8:05 p.m. EDT

The Atlanta Braves' sputtering lineup has been the primary reason for their four-game losing streak, and facing one of the hottest pitchers in the majors probably won't help.

Mike Pelfrey can win his fourth consecutive start to begin the season while pitching the New York Mets to a three-game sweep of visiting Atlanta on Sunday night.

The Braves (8-9) have totaled six runs during their skid, batting .209 overall and .129 with men in scoring position in that stretch.

Among their struggling hitters are highly touted rookie Jason Heyward and veteran infielder Troy Glaus, who have combined for 11 strikeouts while each going 1 for 12 (.083) in the last four games.

Things may get even tougher for Atlanta after Chipper Jones was injured during Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Mets. On his 38th birthday, Jones left with right hip problem and said he might miss several games.

"It popped," Jones said. "I couldn't push off at all."

Pelfrey (3-0, 0.86 ERA) also figures to present problems. The right-hander allowed three hits in seven innings of Tuesday's 4-0 win over the Chicago Cubs, extending his string of consecutive scoreless innings to 19.

That career-best streak dates back to his first start of the season against Washington on April 9 and includes his first career save in the Mets' 2-1, 20-inning win at St. Louis on April 17.

"He has great rhythm. There's a better presence. He's staying on top of the mound. He's ready before the hitter is ready," Mets manager Jerry Manuel said of Pelfrey. "I think he's that confident and that in control that he could say, 'I'm ready to go and I already know what the sequence is.'"

Pelfrey, however, is 2-5 with a 6.09 ERA in 10 appearances - nine starts - against the Braves, with Atlanta catcher Brian McCann doing much of the damage. McCann is 12 for 27 (.444) with five doubles and a homer off Pelfrey.

Still, Sunday's game has the makings of a potential pitchers' duel with Tommy Hanson (1-1, 2.81) opposing Pelfrey.

Hanson is holding opponents to a .237 average and has 18 strikeouts in 16 innings, but he will hope to be more efficient after throwing 102 pitches while giving up two runs in 4 2-3 innings of Atlanta's 4-3, 10-inning win over Philadelphia on Tuesday.

In his lone appearance against the Mets, Hanson allowed three hits and struck out eight in seven innings of a 6-0 home win Sept. 15.

A sweep would be especially satisfying for New York after Atlanta won the final eight meetings between the teams last year.

Coming off a 92-loss season, the Mets (9-9) have seen some positive signs while winning three straight and five of six. Highly touted first base prospect Ike Davis has hit .350 through his first six major league games, and outfielder Jason Bay is hitting .368 in that stretch after a slow start with his new team.

"When you win a couple series, you start feeling good about yourself," third baseman David Wright said. "You go out there expecting to win."

New York's pitchers, meanwhile, have allowed two or fewer runs five times in the Mets' last six games. The club has a 2.09 ERA over its last eight contests.