Mets, Braves try to conclude shortened series in Atlanta

The Atlanta Braves bullpen couldn't slow down the New York Mets' offense in Friday's opener, but the weather was a different story the following day.

After having the middle portion of this series postponed due to rain, the Braves and Mets conclude a now-shortened two-game set on Sunday afternoon.

No makeup date has yet to be determined for Saturday's game.

Braves relievers lead the majors with a collective 2.30 earned run average, but closer Craig Kimbrel blew his second save of the season and Jordan Walden was charged with a pair of runs allowed in the 10th inning of a 7-5 loss to the Mets on Friday night.

Atlanta catcher Evan Gattis hit a solo homer in the eighth inning to put his club up by a run, but New York's David Wright connected on a solo shot of his own off Kimbrel in the ninth.

"Against him its just close your eyes, swing hard and hope you hit," said Wright. "He's as dominant as anyone in the game, so really you just got to hope that he makes a mistake or you really don't have much of a chance."

Ruben Tejada and Daniel Murphy both drove in runs in the following frame and Jeurys Familia recorded his first career save as the Mets won their second straight following a six-game slide.

John Buck stroked a two-run homer and Lucas Duda and Marlon Byrd each added solo shots in the victory.

Andrelton Simmons drove in a pair of runs for the suddenly struggling Braves, losers in seven of their last nine games. Justin Upton had a sacrifice fly and Juan Francisco drove in a run, but left the game in the third inning with a sprained ankle.

Atlanta will look to right the ship today behind Tim Hudson, who is coming off the 200th victory of his career.

Hudson took a third crack at the milestone on Tuesday versus the Washington Nationals and did it all in getting an 8-1 victory. The 37-year-old matched a season high with seven innings pitched while scattering a run, three hits and two walks. He struck out six and also hit the third homer of his career.

In his 108th win with the Braves after starting his career with the Oakland Athletics, Hudson became the 110th pitcher in MLB history to reach 200 wins and only the third active, joining Andy Pettitte and Roy Halladay. He also joined Cleveland's Bob Lemon as the only other player in league annuals to homer in his 200th career victory, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

"It was just one of those nights," said Hudson. "The stars aligned and I guess it was meant to be. You rarely have the chance to accomplish something like this and hit a home run."

The righty improved to 3-1 with a 3.86 earned run average through six starts this season and has beaten the Mets 15 times during a career that began in 1999. However, Hudson did go 0-1 in two starts against New York last season with a 5.73 ERA.

The Braves are opting to go with Hudson today and skip Saturday's scheduled starter Julio Teheran to keep the rotation on regular rest, while the Mets will push back young hurler Matt Harvey and go with Jon Niese a day later than expected.

New York will get to give Harvey some extra rest as he won't pitch now until Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox after he threw a career-high 121 pitches in his last outing.

Niese made the 100th start of his career on Sunday versus the Phillies, but was charged with a 5-1 defeat after giving up three runs -- one earned -- on six hits and a walk over 6 2/3 frames. The lefty fell to 2-2 on the season with a 3.31 ERA.

Niese, 26, has been very successful over his career against the Braves. He went 3-1 with a 2.00 ERA versus them a season ago in four starts and is 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA in three outings at Turner Field.

The Braves won 12 of 18 versus the Mets a season ago, winning seven of nine at home.