Mets 4, Braves 0

“There are big wins”. This one is a big win for us. We had some key double plays that were huge and kind of saved the day for me a little bit.

The Mets scored a run apiece in the first and second innings, and soon after Yoenis Cespedes led off the third with a double, there was activity in the Braves’ bullpen and it looked like Miller might have his third pre-fifth inning exit in his past four starts. The Nationals’ game against the Baltimore Orioles was rained out.

Thanks in large part to Niese, the Mets rebounded nicely from a disappointing loss to the crosstown rival Yankees in the Subway Series. “I understand it means a lot to the fans that had been around during that period of time. Those were three games we understood were going to be tough games”.

“The other day we were talking about some of the situations that perhaps may happen down the road”, Collins said, recalling a conversation he had with Niese.

Right-handers Addison Reed, Tyler Clippard and Jeurys Familia combined to allow two hits over the final three innings.

Niese retired the first eight batters, all on grounders, before walking opposing pitcher Shelby Miller on eight pitches. DeGrom has a 6.31 ERA in his last five starts…. Miller got out of that inning unscathed, too, but was replaced after throwing 113 pitches in six innings, the Braves trailing 2-0. The over is 13-4 in the last 17 meetings.

All it took for the Mets to start winning again? But all that matters to me is this team shows up every day ready to go. Really played good defense, and just couldn’t get a win tonight.

The Mets added two runs against rookie lefty Andrew McKirahan without him recording an out in the seventh, with Daniel Murphy’s two-run double extending the lead to 4-0. “That was the cherry on top”, Conforto said. “I just go out there and give it my best effort”.

Braves: RF Nick Markakis missed his second consecutive game with stiffness in his upper back and neck. Manager Fredi Gonzalez hopes he can return Tuesday. C Christian Bethancourt sat out after bruising his left wrist on a play at the plate Sunday.

A run scored on the play, but Daniel Murphy was caught between second and third and tagged out for the final out of the inning.

NOTES: Mets INF Juan Uribe (chest contusion), who was injured diving for a ball on Sunday, underwent an MRI that showed no serious damage. He should be available Tuesday, Collins said….

The Mets (85-65) were mired in a minislump entering Monday, losing four of five and dropping their previous two series. He beat deGrom 2-1 at home in his major league debut June 19. In two starts Verrett has gone 1-0 with an 0.71 WHIP and 1.91 ERA.