Braves Make History as Medlen Beats Mets 6-2

The Atlanta Braves won for a major league record 23rd straight time in games started by Kris Medlen, beating the New York Mets 6-2 on Sunday in the regular-season home finale for Chipper Jones.

Medlen (10-1) gave up one unearned run and three hits in six innings, adding to his momentum heading into the postseason. The Braves have already clinched an NL wild-card spot and are on track to host the one-game playoff, which Medlen would start.

According to STATS LLC research going back to 1921, only two other teams won 22 straight starts by a pitcher: the New York Giants with Carl Hubbell (1936-37) and the Yankees with Whitey Ford (1950-53). Ford's streak was interrupted by military service.

The Braves began the day four games behind Washington in the NL East. The Nationals had a magic number of one for clinching the division.

Atlanta is 12-0 in Medlen's starts this season after he moved to the rotation on July 31. The team's streak of 23 straight wins in Medlen's starts began in 2010.

The Mets' only run off Medlen was set up by first baseman Freddie Freeman's throwing error on Justin Turner's grounder in the third. The wild throw to Medlen, who was covering first base, allowed Ruben Tejada, who singled, to score from second.

David Ross hit a three-run homer in the second off Jenrry Mejia (1-3). Jones had a single and two walks.

Jones' teammates stayed behind in the dugout as he ran onto the field to a standing ovation to start the game. The Braves joined the ovation, and even some New York players applauded the retiring 40-year-old slugger. Mets third base coach Tim Teufel walked over and shook Jones' hand, and finally the Braves joined Jones on the field.

Jones was immediately tested as he made a dive to his left to make a stop on a grounder from Mets leadoff hitter Ruben Tejada. The All-Star third baseman made a one-hop throw to first base from his knees for the out. He made another diving stop on a sharply hit grounder by Scott Hairston to end the inning.

Braves chanted "Let's go, Chipper!" when he batted in the second, and booed Mejia for walking him.

Jones' first hit of his final regular-season home series came with his third-inning single, ending a 0-for-13 drought that included four walks. He tipped his helmet to the fans before his at-bats in the first and seventh innings. With fans standing in the seventh, Jones walked again.

Jones received another loud ovation when he took the field in the ninth. Fans chanted "Thank you, Chipper" as the inning started and then "Chipper! Chipper!" with two outs.

The Braves scored a run in the fifth on doubles by Michael Bourn and Jason Heyward. Andrelton Simmons doubled in Dan Uggla in the sixth off Collin McHugh and scored on Bourn's single.

The Mets scored one run off Cory Gearrin in the ninth on a double by Ike Davis, a walk to Lucas Duda and a single by Andres Torres.

Closer Craig Kimbrel recorded the final out on a grounder by Fred Lewis for his 42nd save.

Bourn was a late addition to Atlanta's lineup after missing six games with a sprained left thumb.

Medlen lined a foul ball into the Mets' dugout in the fourth, hitting catcher Josh Thole. Thole had his hand over his right ear. There was no immediate report on Thole's status from the Mets.

NOTES: The sellout crowd of 50,635, including Jones' parents, raised the Braves' attendance for the season at 2,420,171, a slight increase from their 2011 total. ... Following the lead of manager Terry Collins, the Mets had a theme dress day, with all the players and coaches wearing football jerseys — NFL or college — to the park. The team had a similar hockey jersey day earlier in the season. ... Mets rookie RHP Jeurys Familia will make his first career start Monday against Florida's Josh Johnson. Familia has an 8.64 ERA in seven games in relief. R.A. Dickey is scheduled to start on Tuesday. ... LHP Paul Maholm will face Pirates LHP Jeff Locke on Monday night in Pittsburgh.