By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Braves beat Mets at soggy Citi Field
Braves A

 

NEW YORK — Every time Kris Medlen takes the mound, the Atlanta Braves apparently become unbeatable.

Medlen extended Atlanta's scoreless streak to 31 innings for its best string in more than 20 years, slumping Brian McCann drove in four runs with four hits and the Braves routed the New York Mets 11-3 on a stormy Saturday.

Atlanta has won the last 19 games Medlen has started, dating to 2010. And the NL pitcher of the month for August improved to 13-0 in his last 24 starts overall.

"He pitches and it seems like the guys like playing behind him," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

The weather made things more unpleasant for everyone.

A tornado touched down in Queens about 15 miles away several hours before the game. When the grounds crew struggled to control the billowing tarp before the first pitch, Braves reliever Jonny Venters pitched in to hold a flapping corner.

The winds were blowing at 26 mph with gusts up to 51 mph at the start. Dark, ominous clouds swept in later, causing a 75-minute rain delay after the sixth inning and prompting the public-address announcer to urge fans to take cover.

By then, the NL wild card leaders had overwhelmed the Mets in their fourth straight win. McCann homered, doubled and tied a career high for hits and Dan Uggla kept up his recent resurgence at the plate with three hits and two walks, scoring three times.

"These types of games, they're not going to come very often," Gonzalez said. "I'd rather have pitching and defense, rather than slow-pitch softball."

Medlen (8-1) stretched several impressive streaks for himself and the Braves. He allowed four hits, left with an 8-2 lead after the rain and contributed a long RBI double.

"I think the wind did some things with it," Medlen said of his rare hit

After throwing three straight shutouts, Atlanta posted its longest scoreless streak since a 36-inning string in early 1992, STATS LLC said. The Mets broke through in the fourth with an RBI single by Lucas Duda.

"There was a lot of talk before about us scuffling," Medlen said.

Medlen went 40 1-3 innings without permitting an earned run. His run of success ended where it started, having begun the streak in a win at Citi Field on Aug. 11.