Harvey shines but weak-hitting Mets fall to Braves, 1-0

ATLANTA (AP) -- After matching Julio Teheran through six scoreless innings, Matt Harvey had a brief letdown in the seventh.

With the Mets' bats coming up short again, it was a slip Harvey couldn't afford.

Harvey gave up pinch-hitter Pedro Ciriaco's run-scoring single as New York lost to the Atlanta Braves 1-0 on Sunday to complete a series sweep.

Harvey (7-5) threw a season-high 115 pitches, allowing six hits and one run. He gave up Ryan Lavarnway's two-out double to set up Ciriaco's run-scoring single up the middle for the game's only run.

After the game, Harvey was still feeling the pain of giving up the game's two biggest hits.

"I'm kicking myself for those two batters in the seventh," Harvey said.

"Just getting behind in the count with two outs. I felt like I made a pretty good pitch but he was able to find a hole."

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez sent in Ciriaco to pinch-hit for Teheran even though the right-hander had thrown only 78 pitches in seven scoreless innings, allowing only one hit.

"I knew for sure if it was a runner on first base I would have let Julio hit," Gonzalez said. "But once we get into scoring position, we've got to take a shot at it. We did and (Ciriaco) made me look good."

The Mets have lost five straight and scored no more than one run in four of the losses. It has made for a series of disappointments for New York's starting pitchers.

"We're getting used to it, really," said Mets manager Terry Collins. "Some pretty good pitching and we can't score. It's a little frustrating for everybody. But Matt pitched a great game."

Teheran (5-3) improved to 4-0 at Turner Field. He allowed two walks - both to Curtis Granderson - with five strikeouts. He has a 2.35 ERA in home games and a 7.17 mark on the road.

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. Michael Cuddyer hit into a double play to end the game.

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

DROUGHT-BREAKER

Eric Campbell, who started at third base, snapped a 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. to end the inning.

MUSCLE UP

Lavarnway, a backup catcher making only his second start, just missed a homer on his key double. The drive bounced off the yellow stripe at the top of the left-field wall. He said he heard about it when he returned to the dugout.

"Everyone is like `The weight room is right over there,'" Lavarnway said.

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.

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