Atlanta @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 5, 2011 ) Atlanta 4, NY Mets 1

THE STORY: The New York Mets look to end a five-game losing streak and remain relevant in the wild card chase as they host the Atlanta Braves in the second of a three-game series Saturday. The Mets' slide negates the five-game winning streak that preceded it and is the second-longest of the season. The Braves, who have split 10 games with the Mets, have won two consecutive games and continue to lead the race for the wild card. New York is nine games behind.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS South (Atlanta), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Tommy Hanson (11-6, 3.20 ERA) vs. Mets LH Jonathon Niese (10-8, 3.94).

Hanson is 1-3 with a 6.56 ERA in four starts since the All-Star break. He is coming off a loss to Florida when he allowed three runs but walked four in six innings. Hanson has not pitched past the sixth inning since July 9. He is 3-2 with a 2.27 ERA in six career starts against New York. Hanson lost his only start to the Mets this season when he allowed three runs in five innings despite striking out nine. Niese rebounded with an above-average effort in his last start against the Nationals, although he gained no decision after allowing two runs in 6 1/3 innings. He had allowed five runs in each of his two previous starts. Neise has given the Braves trouble this year - he is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in two starts, beating Atlanta on June 14 when he gave up two runs in 6 1/3 innings. He is 2-2 with a 2.88 ERA in seven career starts against the Braves.

ABOUT THE BRAVES (65-48): Veteran third baseman Chipper Jones is expected back in the starting lineup Saturday for the first time since July 25. Jones, nursing a strained quad, took batting practice and ground balls before Friday’s game. His return may mean the end of the experiment by manager Fredi Gonzalez of batting outfielder Jose Constanza ninth so he can hit back-to-back with leadoff hitter Michael Bourne. Gonzalez has used that combination four times. Closer Craig Kimbrel has made 23 consecutive appearances without allowing a run.

ABOUT THE METS (55-56): Jason Bay has a seven-game hitting streak and is 11-for-26 over his last 10 games with five extra-base hits. But Bay heard the boos Friday when he grounded meekly to second base in the eighth inning while representing the tying run. Jose Reyes, a .385 hitter against Atlanta, was hitless against the Braves on Friday for only the second time in 10 games this season. The Mets had scheduled Mike Pelfrey to pitch Sunday, but pushed Dillon Gee into that slot and moved Pelfrey to Monday. Gee’s turn was rained out Wednesday.

FINAL PITCH: Atlanta outfielder Nate McLouth had sports hernia surgery and will miss six weeks. He may not return this season. McLouth, on the disabled list since July 29, has been playing with the injury all year.