Prado named NL player of the week

Martin Prado was named the National League Player of the Week on Monday after hitting .367 with 11 RBIs over the previous six games.

Pradotied for fifth in the majors and second in the National League with 50 hits heading into Monday night’s game against the Mets. He trailed only Ichiro Suzuki (54), Austin Jackson (52), Marlon Byrd (51) and Miguel Cabrera (51), and was tied with Billy Butler.

Prado began his week with a grand slam and a career-high five RBIs against the Brewers on Monday. He capped it by going 4-for-6 with two home runs and three RBIs on Sunday against the Diamondbacks. He became the first Braves player with a multi-homer game this season. For the week, Prado was 11-for-30 with a .667 slugging percentage and a .387 on-base percentage.

“I just come to play and swing the bat and I’m glad that I help the team,” Prado said after Sunday’s game.

In addition to his hit total, Prado led the Braves in at-bats (155), runs (23) and doubles (10). He was second in average (.323, ninth in the NL) behind Eric Hinske and third in RBIs (18).

It’s the second NL player of the week award for Prado, who was named for the week of June 29-July 5 in 2009.

Resop matches Prado at Gwinnett

Braves minor-league pitcher Chris Resop was named the International League pitcher of the week on Monday. The right-hander allowed just four hits, one run and struck out 14 over 12 innings, earning two wins for the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves.

Resop, 27, was signed by the Braves as a free agent prior to the season after spending last year in Japan. He was in the Braves system in 2008, going 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA for Richmond.

Slumping Francoeur out of Mets lineup again

It was a bittersweet homecoming again for Jeff Francoeur. The former Braves player wasn't in the Mets lineup for the second consecutive New York series opener at Turner Field.

“I feel fine,” Francoeur said before the game. “It’s just a matter of getting ready to play when I’m needed. If I get in there later, depending on what happens, I’ll be ready to go.”

Francoeur was replaced in right field by Chris Carter, who made his first start for the Mets on Sunday, going 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

It’s been a tough month of May for Francoeur, the Parkview High graduate who spent his first four seasons with the Braves before his trade to New York last season. Francoeur is hitting .100 (5-for-50) with no extra base hits and six RBIs in May. His is currently 0-for-18 and just 3-for-36 in the past 10 games. He has dropped to a .214 average with four home runs and 19 RBIs. The slump comes after he hit .284 with four home runs and 13 RBIs over March and April.

“You want to play every game regardless if it’s at home or not,” Francoeur said. “It’s not any more disappointing just because it’s here in Atlanta. If we were in Pittsburgh today, I’d want to play.”

Medlen ‘excited’ about getting another start

Starter. Reliever. It doesn’t much matter to Kris Medlen.

The Braves right-hander will make his second start of the season on Tuesday after joining the rotation with Jair Jurrjens on the disabled list. Medlen will face New York Mets ace Johan Santana, not an easy assignment.

“Nothing has changed,” Medlen said on Monday. “I’m not going to change anything at all but throw more innings hopefully.”

Medlen started on May 8 against the Phillies after Jurrjens was injured. It was his first start since July 12 last season. Medlen didn't get a decision after working 4-1/3 innings. He allowed nine hits, but just one run in a game the Braves won 4-1.

Medlen pitched one inning of relief against the Diamondbacks on Friday so he wouldn't go 11 days without pitching.

“I’mexcited about it,” Medlen said. “I still have to build my pitches up but I’m just going to attack the hitters and throw strikes. … It will be more mental stamina. [Starting is] different but pitching is pitching. Either way you have to hit your spots and locate your pitches.”

Medlen has a 2.35 ERA this season, 2.47 in 13 relief appearances, after allowing 25 hits, seven runs (six earned) in 23 innings.

“I definitely feel like I’m part of the team,” Medlen said. “My versatility has shown a little bit more here being in the rotation. … I know I can do both [start and relieve].”

Quoteable

"Get on base. I want to get a hit."

Braves pitcher Tim Hudson to David Ross in the fourth inning on Sunday. Ross had just fouled off a pitch in an eight-pitch at-bat with Hudson in the on deck circle. Ross eventually drew a walk and took second on a wild pitch. Hudson promptly scored Ross on a double.