NewYork.Mets.com

By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com

"It's a big comeback and I can say it means a lot but this is the second time I've been through it," Scott Erickson said. (Rick Silva/AP)

The veteran right-hander went five innings in what was his third official outing of the spring, scattering seven hits and allowing three earned runs in New York's 6-4 loss to the Braves at Cracker Jack Stadium. Erickson walked three, fanned two and afterwards was generally pleased with his effort though manager Art Howe seemed slightly less enthusiastic.

"I felt pretty good," said Erickson, who has a 3.75 ERA in 12 spring innings. "Each time out I feel better and better. This is also the first time that I've pitched where I've had the chance to prepare myself. We've had a lot of guys pitching and you're not always sure when you'll go. But I was told I was going to pitch today and that makes a difference for a guy who is used to going every five days during his career."

Erickson's velocity was up slightly on Saturday. He topped 90 on the gun a couple of times and that was what Howe pointed to as a positive sign. Still, the skipper wasn't tipping his hand other than to say that all the other candidates would get one more outing before he and pitching coach Rick Peterson make a decision.

Grant Roberts, James Baldwin, Tyler Yates and Erickson could see action in minor league games as well as Major League games before the end of next week. Aaron Heilman threw two scoreless innings in relief against the Braves but he no longer appears to be in the mix. Roberts (3.72 ERA in 19 1/3 innings), Yates (0.64 ERA in 14 innings) and Baldwin (0.75 ERA in 12 innings) have each pitched better and shown more consistency that Erickson.