Two years after having their consecutive division title streak snapped at 14, the John Smoltz-less Atlanta Braves are again pitching their way through the NL East, but a hamstring injury to Tim Hudson may derail them - at least for now. Hudson suffered what he considers to be a minor hamstring injury in the seventh inning of Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds. He is day-to-day and will be reexamined Monday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Before the injury, Hudson’s 3.01 ERA, 7 wins and 51 strikeouts led the team, but just as in the days of Tom Glavine, John Smoltz and Greg Maddux, several other lesser known arms appear ready to pick up the slack. The Braves lead the National League with 3.8 runs allowed, and while they will not accumulate strikeouts - seventh in NL with 395 - or remind anyone of Maddux - 17th in MLB with 200 walks - they find ways to win. Read more »

Jose Reyes, after an extended slump that had his batting average near .250, his passion in question and his coach’s job in jeopardy, has officially warmed up, and begun to sizzle, for the New York Mets. With a patented first-inning infield single Sunday night against the Dodgers, Reyes extended his hitting streak to 17 and led to the Mets to their fifth win in six games. He finished 2-for-5 with 2 runs scored and a stolen base.

Reyes is batting .338 over 74 at-bats during the hit streak with 14 runs, 5 home runs, 11 RBIs and a .608 slugging percentage. He has also reached base safely in 30 straight games, a Mets record for a leadoff hitter, and is “quietly” leading the team with 18 stolen bases. Read more »