Atlanta (84-64) at NY Mets (72-75), 1:20 pm EDT
FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- The Atlanta Braves will try to
strengthen their hold on the National League East Division when
they continue a three-game series with the New York Mets on
Saturday.
The Braves are 3-5 thus far on a 10-game road trip after
Friday's 4-0 loss in the series opener. Pedro Martinez tossed
his 17th career shutout and rookie Mike Jacobs hit a two-run
homer as the Mets snapped a three-game losing streak to win for
just the second time in their last 11 games.
Atlanta's slide has trimmed its lead in the NL East to five
games over Philadelphia. The Braves' magic number to clinch a
14th straight division title stands at 10 as Tim Hudson (12-8,
3.36 ERA) takes the mound.
Hudson had a personal four-game winning streak snapped in
Monday's 4-1 loss to the Phillies, allowing four runs - three
earned - in six innings. The 30-year-old righthander yielded
two runs in eight innings of a 4-3 win over New York on
September 7 and is 2-0 with an 0.82 ERA in the season series.
The Mets turn to veteran righthander Steve Trachsel (1-2, 3.54),
who will be making his first appearance at Shea Stadium this
year. The 34-year-old gave up four runs in 7 1/3 innings of a
4-2 loss at Atlanta on September 5.