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Wright's Homer Keys Mets Win

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The Associated Press

Published: September 11, 2007

NEW YORK - David Wright hit a two-run homer and Oliver Perez tossed another gem against the Atlanta Braves, leading the New York Mets to a tidy 3-2 victory Monday night.

Perez outpitched an effective Tim Hudson, who used his top-notch sinker to induce a steady stream of easy grounders. But slumping leadoff batter Jose Reyes scampered around the bases twice and Wright delivered the big blow, sending New York to its fourth straight win and ninth in 10 games.

The NL East leaders took the opener of a three-game series - and they hope to put away their longtime nemesis by the time it's over. Chipper Jones (strained muscle) and Andruw Jones (illness) were scratched from the lineup minutes before the first pitch.

The Braves, who began the day fifth in the NL wild-card race, fell five games behind front-running San Diego. They are 9 1/2 behind New York in the division, their largest deficit this season.

The Mets, who started their surge with a three-game sweep in Atlanta, have a chance to all but lock up their second consecutive NL East title on this nine-game homestand - and they're taking advantage of the opportunity. New York is 4-0 since a 5-5 road trip. Perez (14-9) was cruising until Jeff Francoeur singled in the seventh and Brian McCann hit a two-run homer with two outs, cutting it to 3-2. But the left-hander regrouped, striking out Willie Harris with his 116th pitch.

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