New York • John Buck drove in three runs and Zack Wheeler beat the Atlanta Braves for the second time in seven major league starts, sending the New York Mets to a 7-4 victory Thursday.
Daniel Murphy and Marlon Byrd three hits apiece for the Mets, who gained a four-game series split. But the news wasn't all good for New York: Eric Young Jr., a spark in the leadoff spot since arriving last month, was pulled with pain in his right knee.
One day after top pitcher Tim Hudson sustained a season-ending ankle injury when Young accidentally stepped on him, the NL East-leading Braves caught another tough break. This time, it was a missed call by the umpires that helped the Mets score three times in the sixth and led to the ejection of Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez.
Wheeler (4-1) squandered a three-run lead by giving up homers to Dan Uggla and Freddie Freeman. But the prized rookie allowed only four hits in six innings after throwing 31 pitches in the first. He tossed six shutout innings in Atlanta to win his big league debut June 18.
The loser in that game was left-hander Alex Wood, who was making his first career start. The second one came on Thursday against Wheeler once again.