Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Tommy Hanson won for the first time since early July and Jason Heyward finished with four hits, as Atlanta downed the New York Mets, 4-1, in the third of four games at Turner Field.
Hanson (9-10) had not won since July 3 versus Florida, but he gave up just one hit and one walk with three strikeouts over seven scoreless frames. Heyward had two doubles, an RBI and scored once. Omar Infante set the table in front of him with three hits and two runs scored and Martin Prado knocked in a pair for the Braves, who have won five straight games.
The Braves stayed three games in front of the Phillies for first place in the National League East.
Mike Pelfrey (13-8) was sacked with the loss, giving up four runs on nine hits with two strikeouts over five frames. Luis Hernandez drove in the lone run for the Mets, who have dropped four of five overall.
Atlanta attacked Pelfrey right out of the chute with a pair of runs in the first. Infante singled in front of Heyward's opposite-field two-bagger. Prado pulled a 2-1 sinker down the left-field line for a two-run double to get the Braves on the scoreboard.
In their next at-bat, the Braves picked up where they left out with Rick Ankiel's one-out base hit. He moved to second on Hanson's bunt and scored on Infante's single to left. Heyward again came through with an RBI double, this one sharply hit tight to the left-field line for a 4-0 edge.
Atlanta threatened for more in the home fourth, but Carlos Beltran charged an Infante single to center and threw a low bullet that took two hops before finding Josh Thole's waiting glove in time to tag out a sliding Ankiel.
The Mets scored their lone run in the eighth when Hernandez's single up the middle plated Ike Davis.
Billy Wagner threw the ninth inning for his 31st save.
Braves right-handed starting pitcher Derek Lowe was scratched from his scheduled Friday start due to lingering pain in his right below. Kenshin Kawakami will start in his place...The Mets have a 9-19 mark in their last 28 road games...Heyward extended his hitting streak to seven games...Ankiel had a pair of hits.