Flushing, NY (Sports Network) – Jason Heyward hit a go-ahead three-run homer to cap a six-run fourth inning, and the Atlanta Braves began a crucial nine- game road trip with a 6-4 victory over the Mets.
Omar Infante added a two-run double and Melky Cabrera an RBI single in the fourth. All of the runs came with two outs for the Braves, who had dropped two of three to the Nationals for their first home series loss since April 20-22.
Atlanta had lost three of four overall, but managed to maintain a three-game deficit to NL East-leading Philadelphia with Friday’s win to open a three-game set at Citi Field. The Phillies topped Washington at home on Friday.
The Braves still lead the wild card and pushed their lead over San Diego to a full game, with the Padres still playing in St. Louis.
Tommy Hanson (10-11) picked up just his second win in the last 14 starts for turning in six effective innings. He allowed four runs on five hits while walking one and fanning four.
Billy Wagner earned the save, his 34th, for pitching a perfect ninth.
Jon Niese (9-9) was touched for all six runs, although each was unearned after a David Wright throwing error in the fateful fourth. The loss was the fourth in five starts for Niese, who did not last past the inning and yielded five hits overall with three walks.
New York, which was coming off a four-game sweep of Pittsburgh, fell to 5-3 on a 10-game homestand.