Mets End Losing Streak At 5 Against Rival Atlanta Braves

As of Monday April 17, the New York Mets were in last place in the National League East Division. This came from the horrible four game set they played against the Florida Marlins at Sun Life Stadium. The fact that they got swept against this terrible team just makes me sick. It is only another example of the Mets' poor play against a divisional opponent. For example, the Mets are 2-4 against the Washington Nationals, where they played both series at Citi Field. Next, the Mets are 1-6 versus the Florida Marlins, both at home and away. The Phillies follow suit with the Mets being 1-2. The only divisional opponent the Mets can beat is the Atlanta Braves. In one series and the opening game of the second series at Turner Field, the Mets are 4-0. In every game, the Mets have looked amazing against Atlanta. They outscore the Braves in the season series, 12-5. Their starting pitching average against the Braves is 4, while the Braves hold a 4.46 ERA. In this pitching match up, it was Mike Pelfrey versus Derek Lowe. Pelfrey threw 103 pitches in which 65 were strikes(63%). Lowe, on the other hand, threw 93 pitches in which 53 were strikes(55%). Pelfrey had a strong start going 7 2/3 innings, while Lowe almost matched with 7 innings pitched. Rod Barajas, who at this point is like Dwight Howard for the Mets, puts them on the board first with a 2-run double in the top of the second inning. The Braves come on the board with Eric Hinske's solo shot in the bottom of the 5th. Following that, the Mets add to their one run lead with Carter's sacrifice ground ball that scores Jose Reyes from third. In the bottom of the 6th, Chipper Jones hits a sacrifice fly that scores Martin Prado and cuts the Mets lead to 3-2. In the bottom of the 8th, Prado hits a ground ball to Reyes who throws home and forces Nate McLouth into a pickle, where the Mets get the out. Later in the inning, Pedro Feliciano strikes out Brian McCann with the bases loaded and two outs. Finally, K-rod is called upon and delivers the save ensuring Mike Pelfrey another win. Pelfrey is now

5-1 with a 3.08 ERA. More importantly, this is the first win for a Mets starter in the month of May.