Mets outfielder Ryan Church, who sustained a mild concussion trying to break up a double play Tuesday night, did not play Wednesday night in Atlanta, but he hopes to play Thursday or Friday.

"I feel great," Church said. "I feel a lot better than I thought."

Church didn't look so good, with a bruise over his right eye sustained when his face hit the ground. He hit the back of his head on the right knee of Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar.

Church said he had no regrets about the hard play.

"I'd do it again," he said.

"That's what I like about him," manager Willie Randolph said. "He plays the game so hard."

Church said he felt worse after getting a concussion this spring following a collision with teammate Marlon Anderson.

BRAVES 11, METS 4: The night began with manager Willie Randolph apologizing to Mets ownership and his team for letting his comments become a distraction.

Randolph had hinted that criticism of him was racially motivated.

Randolph said the Mets have been inconsistent and took full responsibility, and then watched his team lose its third straight game to fall to .500. Mike Pelfrey yielded six runs in four innings, and the Braves earned an easy win.

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