The Tomahawk Times - Big third inning sends Mets over Braves, 4-3

NEW YORK -- The New York Mets did all their scoring in one inning for the second straight day, with a four-run fourth that proved to be just enough to hold off the Atlanta Braves and earn a 4-3 win on Saturday.

Tim Hudson (3-2) suffered his second abbreviated outing in his last three starts, going just three innings and surrendering four runs to New York in the third. While there was no drop in veloctiy, unlike his April 16 start against Florida, Hudson had trouble commanding the strike zone.

The Mets got all the run they would need in that third inning. Trailing 2-0, Carlos Beltran delivered a two-run double to straight away center field to tie the game. Ryan Church chased Beltran home with an RBI-triple and then scored on Carlos Delgado 's ground out.

"I felt fine," said Hudson following the start. "It was just one of those things where I was just missing some locations, missing up and over the plate in that third inning and they made me pay for it."

Atlanta was without the starting left side of their infield. Yunel Escobar was unable to play due to a finger injury suffered while laying down a bunt on Friday and likely will not play again until the Washington series. The Braves were forced to recall shortstop Brent Lillibridge to fill the void.

Lillibridge had a tough day at the plate in his Major League debut, striking out three times in four at-bats. The 24-year old went down swinging against New York starter John Maine in each of his first two trips to the plate.

Meanwhile, Chipper Jones was a late scratch after suffering back spasms while dressing for the game. Martin Prado made the start at third and went 2-for-4 with an RBI on the day.

Maine (2-2) struck out seven in five innings of work but needed 100 pitches to do so. The Braves tacked two early runs on the board against the righty, thanks to a Mark Teixeira first inning double and a wild pitch by Maine in the third.

Mets closer Billy Wagner threw a perfect ninth to register his fifth save in as many tries. The veteran lefty has yet to allow a hit in nine inning of work this season.

On Deck: John Smoltz will take the mound to do battle with Nelson Figueroa of the Mets on Sunday. Game time is set for 1:10 PM EST.