Niese Pitches Mets to 4-0 Win Over Skidding Miller, Braves

Jonathon Niese won for the first time in a month, Michael Conforto homered and the New York Mets inched closer to an NL East title with their 4-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Monday night.

Daniel Murphy lined a two-run double, Yoenis Cespedes had three hits and the Mets handed hard-luck Shelby Miller (5-16) his 15th straight defeat. New York stretched its lead to 6 1/2 games over the second-place Nationals with 12 to play and lowered its magic number for clinching the division to seven.

Washington's interleague home game against Baltimore was postponed because of rain and rescheduled for Thursday.

Thanks in large part to Niese (9-10), the Mets rebounded nicely from a disappointing loss to the crosstown rival Yankees in the Subway Series. The left-hander tossed three-hit ball for six innings, keeping the ball down during an encouraging outing and getting 13 of his 18 outs on the ground.

Niese had an 8.77 ERA in his previous five starts, though the Mets won four of those games. He might need to string several strong outings together to keep his spot in a potential playoff rotation.

Addison Reed, Tyler Clippard and Jeurys Familia finished the five-hitter for New York, which had dropped four of five since an eight-game winning streak.

Miller lost his seventh straight start. He threw a season-high 113 pitches in six innings, allowing two runs and seven hits — including Conforto's homer. The right-hander is winless in his last 23 outings, the longest drought for a starter in Atlanta history, since coming within one out of a no-hitter in a 6-0 win May 17 at Miami.

It was the 13th time in those 23 starts Miller yielded no more than two earned runs. He has received by far the worst run support in the majors.

Miller's winless streak already was the longest for any big league pitcher in a season he was an All-Star.

Conforto, called up directly from Double-A in late July, was presented with his Mets minor league player of the year award before the game. He sent a solo shot to left-center in the second inning to make it 2-0.

Pinch-hitter Michael Cuddyer and Curtis Granderson singled in front of Murphy's double off Andrew McKirahan in the seventh.

New York loaded the bases with no outs in the first and scored on a double play.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Braves: RHP Mike Foltynewicz had surgery to remove half a rib at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital in Georgia. He is expected to be released from the hospital Thursday and will continue a treatment of blood thinners for at least six weeks, the team said. Foltynewicz was hospitalized Friday because of blood clots in his right arm. ... RF Nick Markakis missed his second consecutive game with stiffness in his upper back and neck. But he was feeling better and should be ready to play Tuesday, manager Fredi Gonzalez said. ... C Christian Bethancourt sat out after bruising his left wrist on a play at the plate Sunday. X-rays were negative and he is day to day, the Braves said.

Mets: 3B David Wright received a scheduled night off. Murphy shifted to third base, and Kelly Johnson started at second. ... The team was awaiting MRI results on 3B-2B Juan Uribe, who bruised his chest on a diving stop Sunday night. ... All-Star RHP Jacob deGrom, pushed back in the rotation for rest, will pitch this weekend in Cincinnati and probably has two starts remaining in the regular season, manager Terry Collins said. ... RHP Matt Harvey will pitch in Cincinnati and be on regular rest in his final two starts, Collins said.

UP NEXT

Braves: Rookie RHP Matt Wisler (5-8) is 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA in two starts against the Mets. He beat deGrom 2-1 at home in his major league debut June 19.

Mets: RHP Logan Verrett (1-0, 1.91 ERA) fills in for deGrom in the middle game of the series Tuesday night. The rookie has pitched well in two spot starts for Harvey within the last month.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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