Wild Card Watch: Mets Fall to Braves in Ninth, Lose Ground

BOX SCORE | STANDINGS 

ATLANTA -- Adonis Garcia's tiebreaking single in the 10th inning scored Dansby Swanson from third base and the Atlanta Braves snapped the New York Mets' six-game winning streak with a 4-3 victory on Saturday night.

Matt Kemp and Nick Markakis homered for Atlanta.

Swanson led off the 10th with a single, advanced to second on a wild pitch by Erik Goeddel (1-1) and moved to third on A.J. Pierzynski's single.

After Goeddel struck out pinch-hitter Tyler FlowersTy Kellyreplaced Curtis Granderson in the field to give the Mets five infielders and Josh Smoker retired Ender Inciarte on a popup. Kelly then moved back into the outfield, and Garcia singled up the middle to end it.

The Mets' winning streak was their longest since late April, when they had won eight a row in late April. New York dropped one-half game behind St. Louis for the second NL wild-card spot.

Chris Withrow (3-0) faced the minimum in the 10th to earn the victory.

Yoenis Cespedes gave the Mets a 3-2 lead in the fifth with his 29th homer, a solo shot.

Mets starting pitcher Bartolo Colon didn't receive a decision after giving up five hits, three runs and one walk, and striking out two in six innings.

Atlanta made it 3-all in the sixth on Kemp's 30th homer and 2-all in the fourth on Markakis' 10th homer.

Braves third baseman Adonis Garcia and second baseman Jace Peterson were both charged with a fielding error that ruined double-play opportunities in the first, leading to New York's 2-0 lead. Jose Reyes scored when Curtis Granderson reached on botched force attempt. Cespedes scored on Jay Bruce's RBI grounder.

Atlanta cut the lead to 2-1 in the bottom half of the first on Kemp's sacrifice fly.

Braves starter John Gant gave up four hits, four walks, three runs - one earned - and struck out six in 4 2/3 innings.

BANG-BANG PLAY

Wilmer Flores, trying to score from second, was tagged out to end the eighth on a head-first slide when his helmet popped off and his head jammed against catcher A.J. Pierzynski's shin guard.

Flores briefly stayed on the ground bent over on a knee before being escorted off the field by a trainer. He was replaced by James Loney at first base. The Mets announced Flores has a neck contusion is day-to-day.

STREAK EXTENDED

Freeman singled in the third to reach safely in his career-best 32nd straight game. He went 1 for 4.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Mets: Manager Terry Collins said the blister bothering RHP Seth Lugo has "dried up," so Lugo will start Sunday. Colon moved up one day in the rotation to take Lugo's spot. ... RHP Jacob deGrom (right forearm soreness) threw 10 pitches off a mound in his tennis shoes. ... LHP Steven Matz (shoulder tightness) threw about 65 pitches off a mound in Port St. Lucie, Fla. ... Manager Terry Collins had no immediate timetable for either pitcher.

Braves: Matt Wisler felt fine after throwing a side session Friday and will throw another one Sunday. Wisler is expected to start Tuesday against Miami. He missed one turn in the rotation with a sore side. ... RHP Julio Teheran, hit by a line drive on his pitching arm Friday night, said he feels fine and will make his next start.

UP NEXT

Mets: Lugo (3-2) will make his fifth start. He has never faced Atlanta.

Braves: RHP Williams Perez (2-2) will make his 11th start. He is 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA in three starts and one relief appearance against New York.

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