Mets-Braves washout is 26th postponement of season

ATLANTA -- Major League Baseball had its 26th postponement of the season when the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves were washed out Sunday, the most related to weather through April since the commissioner's officer started keeping records in 1986.

There were also 26 postponements through April in 2007, but one game then was called off following the death of St. Louis pitcher Josh Hancock.

Rain began falling at SunTrust Park late Sunday morning and was forecast to continue through the afternoon and night. The game will be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader on May 28.

Braves manager Brian Snitker said the rainout will give his players a well-timed rest -- even though he was hoping his team could build on momentum gained from Saturday night's 4-3 last at-bat win.

"We've still got seven days before we have an off day, so it will be good to give everybody an extra day," Snitker said.

Braves right-hander Mike Foltynewicz was pushed back and rescheduled to start Monday's series opener at Cincinnati. Snitker said others in the rotation also will be pushed back one day.

Mets starter Zack Wheeler will start Tuesday's series opener at St. Louis, following an off day.

Right-hander Noah Syndergaard will start against the Cardinals on Wednesday, filling the rotation spot originally planned for Matt Harvey. The Mets announced on Saturday that Harvey, struggling with a 6.00 ERA, is moving to the bullpen.

The unscheduled day off was well-timed for at least two Mets players.

Manager Mickey Callaway already planned to rest slumping right fielder Jay Bruce and third baseman Todd Frazier on Sunday.

Callaway said Frazier "got spiked pretty good" at third base on Saturday night. Callaway said Frazier's toe was "throbbing pretty good."

Bruce is hitting only .194 with one homer.

"We decided before the game (Saturday) we were going to give him a day off so he could have two in a row," Callaway said of Bruce. "Just let him relax a little bit for a couple days."

Bruce was 2 for 12 in the first three games of the series.

"He's in a spot right now where he's trying to figure things out and that's never a comfortable spot to be in," Callaway said. "... Jay Bruce is a really good player. He'll bounce back. He's been through this before as everybody has. He'll end up turning it around."

The Braves won two of three against the Mets for their first home series win in the NL East rivalry since June 19-21, 2015, when they won three straight.

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