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Mets eye sweep of disappointing Braves

Sep 21, 2014 - 12:30 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Coming into this weekend, the Atlanta Braves were longshots to make a run for the playoffs. Now, they're trying to stay in second place in the NL East.

The Braves will try to avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of the New York Mets Sunday afternoon when the teams conclude their series at Turner Field.

New York hasn't swept the Braves in Atlanta since Aug. 31-Sept. 2, 2007.

The Mets, who are 1 1/2 games behind Atlanta, will send Jacob deGrom to the mound this afternoon. The righty didn't get a decision in the Mets' 6-5 defeat to the Marlins on Monday at Citi Field. He gave up three runs in seven innings and had his consecutive innings streak without an earned run end at 28. He walked one and fanned a career-best 13, and equaled the modern-era major league record with eight consecutive strikeouts to begin a game.

On July 8 at Citi Field, deGrom had 11 strikeouts in a seven-inning scoreless performance in an 8-3 win over the Braves. Over his last four starts overall, deGrom is 2-0. He is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in two starts versus the Braves.

Ervin Santana, who has dropped his last two starts, both against the Nationals, gets the ball for Atlanta today. Santana is 3-1 with a 1.93 ERA in four starts versus the Mets.

Last night, Curtis Granderson and Dilson Herrera both homered to help the Mets in a 4-2 win.

Jon Niese (9-11) worked 7 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits with five strikeouts.

"I felt all my pitches (tonight)," said Niese. "I had okay command. Like I said I was able to throw everything for strikes and that helps out a lot."

Lucas Duda added an RBI for New York, which has won two straight and three of four overall. Herrera left the contest after suffering a right quad strain during his at-bat in the top of the sixth inning.

Braves starter Mike Minor (6-12) took the loss after he allowed one run in just an inning of work, leaving the game with shoulder discomfort.

Freddie Freeman had two RBI for Atlanta, which fell to 4-13 in the month of September. They are still mathematically alive in the wild card race, but barely. In fact, a Braves loss today or a win by the Giants will eliminate Atlanta from postseason contention.

"It's the same story, just a different day," said Freeman. "It's tough to win ball games when you only score two runs."

The seasons series is even after 18 games. The Mets haven't won the season series against Atlanta since 2006 (11-7).