METS 9, BRAVES 4
at Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Thursday, March 27

Mets at the plate: Marlon Anderson began his two-hit day with a two-run first-inning double off Braves starter Peter Moylan. Ryan Church also contributed a pair of hits, including a double.

Braves at the plate: Mark Teixeira, who had a two-hit day on Wednesday, kept his bat hot going with a first-inning sacrifice fly and a third-inning RBI single. Matt Diaz had two singles, and both Chipper Jones and Kelly Johnson contributed a double.

Mets on the mound: Starter Oliver Perez allowed three earned runs and seven hits over 6 1/3 innings.

Braves on the mound: Wanting to get his relievers early work before the team traveled to Atlanta, Braves manager Bobby Cox started Moylan, who allowed three hits and three earned runs in the first inning. Left-handed reliever Royce Ring increased his stock by tossing a scoreless third after allowing the first two hitters of the frame to reach safely.

Grapefruit League records: Mets 19-10-1, Braves 14-14-2.

Up next for the Mets: One final Grapefruit League game remains for the Mets, who play in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Friday before they head northwest for Saturday's Civil Rights Game in Memphis, Tenn. Yet Friday's game should be more than just a tuneup. It's Mike Pelfrey's final chance to show that he's improved enough to win the fifth-starter's role, and Orlando Hernandez's final chance to prove that he's healthy enough to do the same. Hernandez will start and Pelfrey will follow in a 1:05 p.m. ET game against the Orioles, who will counter with right-hander Daniel Cabrera.

Up next for the Braves: Atlanta will ends its exhibition season with games against Cleveland at Turner Field on Friday and Saturday nights. Jair Jurrjens, who has seemingly won a rotation spot will start Friday's game, which is scheduled to begin at 7:10.