First place Braves continue hot streak with 5-4 win over Mets

ATLANTA -- The Braves' clutch hitting impressed Mets manager Terry Collins, who said that helps make first-place Atlanta a winner.<br /> <br /> The obvious comparison was left unspoken: The Mets, only one-half game out of last place, have too little timely hitting and pitching.<br /> <br /> Daisuke Matsuzaka gave up five runs, including three with two outs in the fourth, and New York was shut down by Atlanta's bullpen in a 5-4 loss to the Braves on Tuesday night.<br /> <br /> "When they needed a big hit, they got it," Collins said of the Braves.<br /> <br /> Curtis Granderson and Daniel Murphy hit two-run homers for New York. The Mets (37-47) have lost three straight and six of seven to fall 10 games below .500 for the first time this season.<br /> <br /> The Braves overcame a shaky start from Mike Minor to protect their one-half game lead over Washington in the NL East. Atlanta has won six straight, its longest streak of the season.<br /> <br /> Matsuzaka (3-3) allowed five runs on seven hits and three walks in five innings. He has lost three straight starts.<br /> <br /> With the game tied 2-2 in the fourth, the Braves staged an improbable three-run inning. Chris Johnson reached on only his eighth walk of the season. With two outs, Johnson scored from second on Minor's single to center - only his second RBI of the season. Following a single and stolen base by B.J. Upton, Andrelton Simmons' two-run single to left off Matsuzaka increased Atlanta's lead to 5-2.<br /> <br /> "There's a reason why they're winning," Collins said. "There's a reason why they've won. They do have a knack for it. Those are the kind of players they have over there. They're tough in the clutch, boy, they're very tough."<br /> <br /> Matsuzaka said it was disappointing to allow the two-out runs.<br /> <br /> "The first two outs came pretty easily but I just wasn't able to finish off that inning with the last out," Matsuzaka said through a translator. "... I was really disappointed in myself for not being able to keep us in the game."<br /> <br /> Matsuzaka's spot in the rotation could be in question when right-hander Dillon Gee is ready to come off the disabled list.<br /> <br /> "I'll think about that when that happens," Matsuzaka said.<br /> <br /> Shae Simmons (1-0) took over for Minor in the fifth and pitched 1 2-3 scoreless innings. Craig Kimbrel earned his 26th save by striking out Eric Young Jr., Granderson and Bobby Abreu in the ninth. Four Braves relievers combined to allow only one hit in 4 2-3 scoreless innings.<br /> <br /> "I think the MVP of the team today was the bullpen," said Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez. "To go 4 2-3 scoreless innings in a one-run game, that's a pretty awesome night for us down there."<br /> <br /> Minor quickly gave back two runs in the fifth on Murphy's two-run homer. Minor then gave up singles to Eric Campbell and Lucas Duda before being bailed out by rookie Shae Simmons, whose sidearm delivery produced a fly ball from Chris Young and a strikeout of Travis d'Arnaud.<br /> <br /> Minor lasted 4 1-3 innings, matching his shortest start of the season, and allowed four runs on nine hits and one walk. His ERA is 4.73 and he has made eight starts since his last win on May 19.<br /> <br /> Atlanta rookie catcher Christian Bethancourt, making his second straight start, singled in the second inning to drive in Johnson for his first career RBI.<br /> <br /> Braves second baseman Tommy La Stella suffered a bruised right foot when he was hit by a pitch in the second inning. He left the game in the eighth.<br /> <br /> La Stella said he expects to play on Wednesday. Gonzalez said the rookie had a 50-50 chance to start.<br /> <br /> <b>NOTES:</b> A few hundred fans arrived early to watch the United States lose to Belgium in the World Cup. The game was shown on the stadium video board. ... Tejada has a 10-game hitting streak. ... The Braves recalled RHP Juan Jaime from Triple-A Gwinnett and then optioned him back to Gwinnett after the game. RHP David Carpenter (strained right biceps) will come off the 15-day DL on Wednesday. ... The series ends Wednesday night with Atlanta's Julio Teheran facing New York's Jacob deGrom.

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