Smoltz tries to follow up no-hit bid at Shea

Sep 12, 2007, 15:03 GMT

- With the National League East crown probably out of reach, the Atlanta Braves will try for pride -- and a series win -- over the New York Mets today in the conclusion of a three-game series at Shea Stadium.

John Smoltz flirted with a no-hitter in his last start and toes the rubber for the Braves tonight.

On Friday against the Nationals, Smoltz threw seven no-hit innings before Ronnie Belliard opened the eighth inning with a single to right. The right- hander, who also walked two in the game while striking out 10, was pulled from the game after the hit, and the bullpen eventually allowed Belliard to score, meaning Smoltz was charged with a run as well.

However, he got the win and improved to 13-7 with a 3.02 earned run average. It was the closest Smoltz has come to a no-hitter since April 30, 1999, when he tossed a one-hitter against Cincinnati.

The righty is 17-14 with 24 saves in 67 career outings against the Mets, 39 of those starts, with a solid 3.43 ERA. He is 2-1 in five starts against them this season, as well.

The Mets will hope John Maine can rebound from a poor outing last week when he starts for the club tonight. The right-hander allowed six runs and nine hits over 4 1/3 innings of work on Wednesday against the Reds, falling to 14-9 with a 3.80 ERA.

Maine is 1-1 with a 5.11 ERA in two career starts against the Braves, with both outings coming this season. He recently beat the club on August 31 behind seven innings of one-run ball with eight strikeouts, but was battered for six runs in a loss against them on August 9.

In the second game of the series on Tuesday, the Braves used a six-run fourth inning to grab control, highlighted by Mark Teixeira's three-run homer, and roll to a 13-5 victory.

Willie Harris drove in four runs and Yunel Escobar also homered for the Braves, who bounced back from a 3-2 setback on Monday. The Braves snapped a two-game skid and moved 8 1/2 games back of the first-place Mets. The club is also five games off the pace in the wild card race.

Buddy Carlyle started on the mound for the Braves and allowed three runs on six hits through 4 1/3 innings before Peter Moylan (5-3) secured the win with 1 2/3 perfect relief innings.

Orlando Hernandez lasted only three-plus innings for the Mets, who despite the loss -- which snapped a four-game winning streak -- remain comfortably atop the NL East by six games over the Phillies. Hernandez (9-5) allowed eight runs on six hits with four walks and two strikeouts.

Paul Lo Duca and Moises Alou both homered in the loss.

The Braves are 9-8 against the Mets this year and snapped a four-game losing streak to the Mets with Tuesday's win.

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