Mets Make Statement, Smash Braves, Win Series

METS 7 - BRAVES 3

The New York Mets came away with one of the biggest victories of the season Wednesday afternoon in a 7-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves. Not only did the win clinch a series victory on the road in Atlanta, but it pushed New York to a 2.5-game lead in the standings and sends a major statement to the Braves and the Major's that even with the number of injuries, the Mets are still a team to be reckoned with.

The Amazin's broke through their offensive slump, pounding three homers in the victory, while Chris Bassit was solid once again.

Bassit held Atlanta to just a run on five hits over six innings of work. It was the fifth straight start in which Bassit had going at least six innings, lowering his ERA to 3.79 and improving his record to 7-6 on the season.

Offensively the Mets got right to work when Eduardo Escobar launched a fastball by Charlie Morton into the second level of the bleachers in right for a solo homer in the second inning, handing the Mets a 1-0 lead.  The blast was Escobar's 10th homer of the year.

An inning later, Francisco Lindor crushed a three-run bomb to right make it 4-0 Amazin's.  The three RBI's give Lindor 64 RBI on the season. He had 63 RBI all of last season. Lindor is also the first switch hitter to have 60+ RBI at the All Star Break in National League history.

Finally in the sixth, Mark Canha connected on his seventh homer of the year to make it a 5-0 ballgame.

Luis Guillorme, who has played extremely well since Jeff McNeil went on paternity leave, doubled and drove in a run in the seventh to make it 6-0.

With the victory, New York travels to Chicago to play a four-game weekend series with the Cubs before the All-Star Break.