It was a day of threes for both teams as the Braves and the Mets each scored three runs in two separate innings. Atlanta broke the 6-6 tie in the 10th inning on pinch hitter, Jesus Sucre's single that ended the game at 7-6 Braves. Sucre's hit was ruled a home run, but he was only credited with a single since he didn't circle the bases.
Starting pitcher Derek Lowe must consider today's effort a waste. Lowe, who felt a blister on his big toe while throwing his third pitch exited after giving up three runs and five hits in just one inning.
Kris Medlen recorded a pair of strikeouts and didn't allow a hit in his three scoreless innings.
Takashi Saito experienced a second straight rough outing, allowing three earned runs and three hits in his one frame.
Cory Gearrin gave up a hit but pitched a scoreless eighth inning.
Craig Kimbrel got the win in relief.
Chris Carter had a four-RBI performance that started with his two-run, first-inning home run off Lowe. Carter, who has homered three times in the past three days, also doubled in the three-run sixth-inning, which was capped by Russ Adams' RBI triple.
Chipper Jones recorded a two-run double to highlight the fourth inning, which also included a double from David Ross, who saw his fifth-inning drive caught along the left-field wall.
Martin Prado, who struck out twice against Roy Halladay on Tuesday night, provided a two-hit performance that included a first-inning infield single that put him in position to score on a Melky Cabrera double. Sucre's walk-off single in the 10th inning brought home Freddie Freeman with the winning run.
Wednesday's contest marked the third time these two National League East rivals have played this year, and the the Braves still haven't gotten their first looks at Jason Bay, Jeff Francoeur or David Wright.
The Mets pitchers certainly didn't complain when the Braves opted to give Jason Heyward and Troy Glaus a chance to rest on Wednesday.
Jair Jurrjens makes his Grapefruit League season debut when the Braves travel to Tampa on Thursday to play the Yankees at 7:05 p.m.
The 24-year-old right-hander has made steady progress since reporting to camp with inflammation around his right shoulder. Heyward, who missed Wednesday with a sore upper back, is expected to return to the lineup to face the defending World Series champions.
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Source: MLB.com
Kris Medlen, who took over for Derek Lowe, threw three scoreless innings.
- Photo2 by Tim Evearitt