Teheran throws 7 scoreless as Braves sweep Mets

ATLANTA — Julio Teheran gave up only one hit in seven scoreless innings, Pedro Ciriaco’s pinch-hit single in the seventh scored the only run and the Atlanta Braves shut out the New York Mets 1-0 on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.

The Mets have lost five straight and scored no more than one run in four of the losses.

Matt Harvey (7-5) matched Teheran through six scoreless innings before giving up Ryan Lavarnway’s two-out double and Ciriaco’s run-scoring single up the middle.

Teheran (5-3) improved to 4-0 at Turner Field. He allowed two walks — both to Curtis Granderson — with five strikeouts.

Right-hander Jim Johnson pitched out of a ninth-inning jam for his fourth save. Closer Jason Grilli was unavailable after earning saves in the first two games of the series.

Granderson led off the ninth with a single to right field and moved to second on a bunt single by Juan Lagares. The runners held on Lucas Duda’s fly ball to left field and Michael Cuddyer hit into a double play to end the game.

Lavarnway, a backup catcher making only his second start, just missed a homer on his two-out drive off the yellow stripe at the top of the left-field wall. The rare scoring opportunity led Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez to pull Teheran for Ciriaco, whose pinch-hit single to centre field drove in Lavarnway.

Ciriaco’s hit knocked Harvey out of the game. Left-hander Alex Torres walked Jace Peterson and Cameron Maybin to load the bases before ending the inning on Kelly Johnson’s fly ball to centre field.

Wilmer Flores led off the fifth with a line-drive single to left field for the Mets’ first hit off Teheran.

Eric Campbell snapped an 0-for-18 drought with a two-out double off Nick Masset in the eighth. Left-hander Dana Eveland struck out pinch-hitter John Mayberry Jr.

The game’s defensive highlight came in the second when centre fielder Cameron Maybin raced toward second base before making a diving catch of Kevin Plawecki’s shallow fly ball.

Teheran lowered his ERA from 5.07 to 4.67.

The Braves (35-35) returned to .500 for the first time since June 2 with their first sweep of the Mets since June 30 through July 2, 2014.

TRAINING ROOM

Mets: C Travis d’Arnaud, day to day with a hyperextended left elbow that forced him out of Saturday night’s game, was sore but available if needed off the bench. … IF Ruben Tejeda, who bruised his left ankle sliding into third base, also was available off the bench. … RHP Jeurys Familia (left groin tightness) was held out for the second straight day.

Braves: 1B Freddie Freeman (sprained left wrist) was unable to swing the bat before the game and was to be re-examined while missing his fourth straight start. Even with an off day on Monday, the lack of progress could push Freeman closer to the DL.

UP NEXT

Mets: Following an off day on Monday, the team’s road trip moves to Milwaukee, where LHP Jonathon Niese is scheduled to start on Tuesday night. Niese is 4-3 in seven career starts against the Brewers.

Braves: A tough road trip against the Nationals and Pirates begins on Tuesday night when LHP Alex Wood will face Washington. Wood is 0-1 with a 6.17 ERA in two career starts against the Nationals.

from Sportsnet.ca http://ift.tt/1H3PtKy