ATLANTA (AP/PIX11) — Julio Teheran pitched effectively into the seventh inning and the Atlanta Braves stayed hot with a 5-3 victory Saturday night over the New York Mets, who learned earlier that injured closer Jenrry Mejia was suspended 80 games for a positive drug test.
The Braves began the season looking to rebuild after trading several big-name players, but instead they improved to 5-0 for the first time since beginning the 1994 season 7-0. Atlanta’s franchise record for consecutive wins to begin a season is 13, set in 1982.
Freddie Freeman homered for the Braves. Jim Johnson faced four batters in the ninth to earn his first save of the season.
Teheran (2-0) allowed three baserunners through the first six innings, but he retired none of the five batters he faced in New York’s three-run seventh.
Dillon Gee (0-1) had a tough outing, permitting five runs in his first start of the season.
Mejia tested postive for Stanozolol, a banned substance in the MLB. In 2014, Mejia had a 6-6 record and 28 saves.
He said he has “no idea” how it ended up in his system.