GAME:
Atlanta Braves (28-18) at New York Mets (17-27)
DATE/TIME:
Saturday, May 25 - 7:15 PM EST
WHERE:
Citi Field, New York, New York
LINE:
-154, 142
TOTAL:
7
As befitting in what is quickly turning into a lost season for the New York Mets, even Fireworks Night wound up as a washout. Friday's series opener against the visiting Atlanta Braves was suspended by rain after eight innings with the teams deadlocked at 5-5. The game will resume at 6:10 p.m. ET on Saturday with the second game of the series scheduled to start at 7:15 p.m. - or upon the completion of the suspended contest.
The Braves entered the series on a six-game winning streak and appeared to be closing in on No. 7 when rookie Evan Gattis delivered a pinch-hit two-run single in the eighth inning. Gattis has nine RBIs in his last five games despite only seven at-bats in that span. Mets catcher John Buck, who had a sensational first month, broke a three-week homerless drought with his 11th Friday night, but teammate Ike Davis struck out four times to extend his slump to a ghastly 1-for-42.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Mike Minor (5-2, 2.78 ERA) vs. Mets RH Dillon Gee (2-5, 6.04)
Rain cut Minor's last start to six innings, but he still struck out a season-high nine and gave up two runs on three hits against the Los Angeles Dodgers to stretch his unbeaten streak to four. He won his previous two outings - allowing one run in each - and has held the opposition to three runs or fewer in eight of his nine starts. Minor is 3-1 with a 5.63 ERA in seven starts vs. the Mets, but he did not factor in the decision earlier this month when he gave up three runs in seven innings.
Gee has been unable to generate any consistency and has failed to put together back-to-back strong outings. He went five-plus innings in his last start against the Chicago Cubs, allowing three runs on eight hits, including a pair of homers. Gee has pitched well at Citi Field, holding the opposition to either zero or one run in three of his four starts, but his longest stint was 6 1/3 innings in his season debut. He is 3-2 with a 3.13 ERA in eight starts against Atlanta.
WALK-OFFS
1. Braves RF Jason Heyward is 6-for-12 with a homer against Gee.
2. Mets 3B David Wright is 2-for-14 with five strikeouts vs. Minor.
3. Fireworks Night has been rescheduled at the completion of Saturday's action.
PREDICTION: Braves 5, Mets 3