NEW YORK — Rafael Ortega had two hits throughout a six-run fifth inning Sunday night time, main New York to a 7-6 win over the foremost league-best Atlanta Braves and stopping the Mets from falling into final place within the NL East.

The Mets, who have been outscored 34-3 within the first three video games of the collection and overcame a 3-0 deficit Sunday, remained a half-game forward of the Washington Nationals.

New York hasn’t been within the cellar this late in a full season since 2005. The Mets are 22 1/2 video games behind the Braves a 12 months after ending with 101 wins and in a tie atop the division with Atlanta, which received the head-to-head tiebreaker.

“To beat one of the best teams in baseball - we know they’re operating on all cylinders and giving you their best shot,” Mets supervisor Buck Showalter stated. “So anytime you can beat them, it’s hard.”

Ortega singled main off the fifth and hit a two-run single to finish a rally that included 4 singles and three walks - two with the bases loaded - and a run-scoring catcher’s interference name on the Braves’ Sean Murphy.

“You get people on base, you always want to do more,” Showalter stated. “Everybody’s chasing swinging the bat and doing something. Sometimes, what you should be chasing - I’m not saying it’s a walk, it’s selectivity.”

PHOTOS: Rafael Ortega keys a giant sixth inning for the Mets, who beat the Braves to keep away from final place

Ortega completed with three hits, one shy of his profession excessive. Jeff McNeil had three singles, together with a run-scoring hit within the third.

Kodai Senga (9-6) allowed three runs - all within the first through Marcell Ozuna’s bases-clearing double - and whiffed seven in six innings.

The 30-year-old rookie right-hander is tied with Max Scherzer - who was traded to the Texas Rangers on July 29 - for the group lead in wins and is tops on the Mets in innings pitched and strikeouts.

“I feel good, I feel strong on the mound,” Senga stated via an interpreter. “I think I can get through the season on a high note. On-field care, off-field care, I think I’m doing what I can to maintain my high performance on the field.”

Murphy led off the seventh with a homer and Matt Olson pulled the Braves inside a run along with his main league-leading forty third homer, a two-run shot, within the eighth. Atlanta leads the majors with 227 homers.

“Even when we got down, I felt good,” supervisor Brian Snitker stated of the Braves, who've 31 comeback wins this season. “But we can’t walk that many guys like that. The guys kept fighting and we gave ourselves a chance to win.”

Drew Smith retired Murphy, the potential go-ahead run, for the ultimate out of the eighth and Adam Ottavino notched his seventh save with an ideal ninth.

Yonny Chirinos (5-5) gave up six runs in 4 2/3 innings.

THE DEFENSE DIDN’T REST

The Mets made a number of spectacular performs within the discipline. Shortstop Francisco Lindor ranged properly into the opening to snare a grounder by Ozuna earlier than throwing him out with a bounce throw within the fourth. Brandon Nimmo, enjoying left discipline for the second time within the final two seasons, reached to rob Austin Riley of additional bases within the sixth. Pete Alonso then ended the inning with a diving cease of a grounder by Eddie Rosario.

BOUNTIFUL BRAVES

The loss Sunday was the third within the Braves’ final 17 video games in opposition to the Mets - a span during which Atlanta has outscored New York 124-61. The Braves lead the NL East by 11 video games over Philadelphia.

ONLY ONE BOROUGH IN LAST

The Mets’ win ensured each New York groups wouldn't be in final place this late in a full season for the primary time. The Yankees are 60-58, two video games behind the fourth-place Red Sox within the AL East.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Braves: 2B Ozzie Albies left within the eighth inning on account of cramping. … Murphy was hit by Vientos’ again swing within the seventh inning. He visited with a coach for a couple of minutes however stayed within the recreation regardless of struggling a reduce on his head, seemingly from the Pitchcom machine. … RHP Kyle Wright (shoulder irritation), who received a significant league-leading 21 video games final season however has been restricted to 5 begins this 12 months, has begun ramping up his exercise on the membership’s spring coaching complicated in Florida.

Mets: Showalter stated RF Starling Marte (proper groin pressure) is “progressing, little by little.” Marte is eligible to return off the injured checklist Wednesday however is unlikely to return then and may have a rehab stint.

UP NEXT

Braves: LHP Max Fried (3-1, 2.50 ERA) takes the mound as Atlanta returns house Monday from a season-high 11-game journey to start a three-game set in opposition to the Yankees. Fried shall be making his third begin following an almost three-month keep on the injured checklist with a forearm pressure.

Mets: A ten-game homestand continues Monday when RHP Carlos Carrasco (3-6, 6.42) opens a three-game collection in opposition to Pittsburgh.

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