LEADING OFF: Braves streaking, Harper on paternity leave

A look at what’s happening around the majors today:

BREEZIN’

Despite tying a major league record by striking out 26 times, the Braves kept their winning streak going. The NL East leaders outlasted the Mets 2-1 in 14 innings Friday night for their sixth straight victory.

Atlanta is 9-3 against the Mets this season and tries to boost that mark when lefty Max Fried (14-4, 3.84 ERA) starts at Citi Field. Zack Wheeler (9-7, 4.40) is set to pitch for New York.

Mets All-Star Jeff McNeil, on the injured list with a strained left hamstring, played third base and right field for Class A Brooklyn and went 1 for 4 in a rehab appearance. Manager Mickey Callaway left open the possibility that McNeil could be back to face the Braves.

BRYCE’S BABY

Philadelphia star Bryce Harper is on the paternity list while awaiting the birth of his first child. He traveled home to Las Vegas and could be out of action through the weekend.

Harper is hitting .254 with 27 homers and 92 RBIs in 125 games.

The Phillies’ drive for an NL wild card took a damaging blow Friday night when they blew a seven-run lead at last-place Miami and lost 19-11. Zach Eflin (7-11, 4.57 ERA) is next up against the Marlins – he’s 0-4 with an 8.42 ERA over his last 10 games, including six starts.

The Marlins took a big hit, too, when top hitter Brian Anderson suffered a broken hand after being hit by a pitch. He could miss the rest of the season.

ROLLING

Cubs left-hander Jose Quintana tries to add to his career-best win streak when he faces Washington at Wrigley Field. The 30-year-old Quintana is 7-0 with a 2.96 ERA in his last nine starts. He pitched seven scoreless innings in Sunday night’s 7-1 victory over Pittsburgh in the MLB Little League Classic. Joe Ross gets the ball for the surging Nationals, who have won 10 of 12.

STREAKING

Astros lefty Wade Miley (12-4, 3.18 ERA) has won six straight decisions. Slotted in a rotation with Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole and Zack Greinke, Miley doesn’t always attract a lot of attention. But he’s been a key member of the AL West leaders, who take on Mike Trout and the Angels at Minute Maid Park.

ALL FOR ONE

Rockies righty Chi Chi Gonzalez (0-4, 5.87 ERA) starts at St. Louis, looking for his first win since Sept. 22, 2015, while with the Texas Rangers.

Gonzalez lost both decisions in 2016, missed the entire 2017 season after Tommy John surgery and didn’t return to the majors until this June 25.

Cardinals rookie Dakota Hudson (12-6, 3.63 ERA) goes for his third consecutive win. He was pulled after throwing 6 2/3 hitless innings against Milwaukee on Monday.

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