Mets, Braves victim of first Turner rainout

ATLANTA -- The night started with heavy rain. Then came a power outage. And finally, another line of severe thunderstorms.

The stormy weather caused the first rainout in Turner Field history, halting Tuesday's game between the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves in the bottom of the third inning.

The game will be made up Sept. 10 as part of a doubleheader.

"It's 3 o'clock in the morning, isn't it? It sure feels like it," Braves manager Bobby Cox said after the game was finally called at 11:01 p.m. "These things are more tiring than playing."

The first pitch was delayed 1 hour, 11 minutes by showers that moved in after batting practice. The second wave of thunderstorms halted play with the Mets leading 1-0.

The showers never let up, finally forcing crew chief Larry Young to call the game after a delay of 1:15.

The Mets visit Atlanta only one other time this season, traveling to Turner Field on Sept. 10-11 for what was supposed to be a two-game series. The Braves have off days on either side of the series, but the Mets play at Philadelphia on Sept. 9, then travel to Montreal on Sept. 12.

Marlins 5, Phillies 0

PHILADELPHIA -- Josh Beckett lasted only three innings because of another blister, but five Florida relievers finished a four-hitter.

Beckett allowed one hit, struck out five and walked two before coming out with a blister on his middle finger. The 22-year-old right-hander spent two weeks on the disabled list last month because of a blister, and has already had four this season.

Pirates 5, Expos 2

MONTREAL -- Chad Hermansen hit a leadoff home run against Carl Pavano (3-7), and Rob Mackowiak homered twice for Pittsburgh.

Jimmy Anderson (5-7) allowed five hits and one run in 6 1/3 innings.

Elsewhere

METS:The team purchased the contract of outfielder Tony Tarasco from Triple-A Norfolk and designated outfielder-first baseman Mark Johnson for assignment.

-- From wire reports