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Lowe leads Braves into series opener with Mets

Jun 3, 2011 - 2:39 PM (Sports Network) - Derek Lowe will try to bounce back from a horrible outing his last time out when the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets begin a three-game set this evening at Citi Field.

Lowe lasted just 3 1/3 innings on Saturday against Cincinnati, allowing five runs, seven hits and walking five batters in just 3 1/3 innings. However, his offense bailed him out and he did not factor in the decision of his team's 7-6 win. He has now walked 10 batters over his last two starts, spanning 9 1/3 frames.

"You can't act like 10 walks isn't a big issue, because it really is," said Lowe, who has allowed three earned runs or less in eight of his 12 starts this season. "You have to try to figure it out. Having the extra day before this next start will help put in the time and the effort. You really have to try to figure it out."

Lowe beat the Mets the last time he faced them and is 5-5 lifetime against New York with a 5.51 ERA.

Atlanta salvaged the finale of its three-game set with the San Diego Padres on Wednesday, as Freddie Freeman had two hits and two RBI to lead the Braves to a 4-3 win.

Tommy Hanson (6-4) earned the win after allowing two runs on three hits and two walks. He fanned four through six innings to give the Braves their third win in five games.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel earned his 16th save of the season, matching the National League rookie record for saves before the All-Star break. He is now tied with the Dodgers' Yhency Brazoban, who established the mark in 2005.

Jonathan Papelbon holds the major league rookie record -- he converted 26 first-half saves in 2006.

New York, meanwhile, earned a split in its four-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, as it rallied from seven runs down to pull out a 9-8 win.

Ruben Tejada knocked in three runs, including the go-ahead tally in the eighth inning, while Carlos Beltran went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer and four RBI for the Mets, whose rally was the team's largest since June 30, 2000, against the Braves.

New York starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey was shelled for seven runs on 10 hits in five innings, but was saved by the bullpen and offense.

"The guys came back and fought," said Pelfrey. "If you come back and tie the game and then lose, I would rather take the loss. But if you come back and win, it takes some of the disappointment [away]."

Tim Byrdak, Bobby Parnell, Jason Isringhausen and Francisco Rodriguez pitched one inning apiece, allowing one run on four hits and one walk. Isringhausen (1-0) picked up the win and Rodriguez got his 16th save of the season.

Getting the call for the Mets this evening will be lefty Jonathon Niese, who has won three of his last four starts. Niese was terrific against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday, as he allowed just an unearned run and five hits over six innings to improve to 4-5 on the year, while lowering his earned run average to 3.92.

Niese is 1-2 in five starts against the Braves and has pitched to a 3.04 ERA in those outings.

Atlanta took two of three from the Mets earlier in the year.