NEW YORK -- Rafael Ortega had two hits during a six-run fifth inning Sunday night, leading the Mets to a 7-6 win over the majors-best Atlanta Braves and preventing New York from falling into last place in the NL East.
The Mets, who were outscored 34-3 in the first three games of the series, moved a half-game ahead of the Washington Nationals. New York hasn't been in the cellar this late in the season since 2005.
Ortega singled leading off the fifth and hit a two-run single to complete a rally that included four singles and three walks -- two with the bases loaded -- and a run-scoring catcher's interference call on the Braves' Sean Murphy.