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Braves blank Mets

Sep 30, 2012 - 3:00 AM Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Jason Heyward and Martin Prado each drove in a run and the Braves pitching staff blanked the New York Mets, 2-0, to win the second edition of a three-game set.

Mike Minor (11-10) was nearly untouchable for the playoff-bound Braves, who trail the NL East-leading Washington Nationals by four games with four left to play.

He gave up just three hits over 6 1/3 innings while striking out four. Minor won for the fourth time this month and has given up just three runs over his last five starts. He's won five straight decisions.

"His velocity has been up and has been pounding the zone," said Braves second baseman Dan Uggla. "He's throwing all three pitches for strikes and hitting the corners. He's not just working in the middle of the plate, he's getting ahead of hitters. He's really turned the corner."

After putting two runners on in the ninth, Craig Kimbrel struck out pinch- hitter Ike Davis and Lucas Duda to earn his 41st save of the season.

Chris Young (4-9) was once again charged with the loss despite tossing his fourth straight quality start. He pitched six strong innings, but gave up two runs on seven hits. He struck out six.

"Ultimately, it's about team wins and losses," said Young. "All in all, there were some really good things. It was a great year to bounce back, it's the most I've pitched since 2008. There were a lot of positives."

Chipper Jones, who is playing his final regular season games at Turner Field, once again went 0-for-4.

Prado finished 2-for-4 and scored a run in the first and drove in the Braves' second run in the fifth.

In the first, Prado ripped a one-out double to right, advanced to third on a wild pitch by Young and scurried home on Heyward's groundout to short. After Andrelton Simmons singled to leadoff the fifth, Minor sacrificed him over and Prado drove another double, this one to left field, to score Simmons from second.

The Mets managed just five hits all game, but had their best chance to score in the ninth inning.

Ruben Tejada reached on a fielding error by Uggla to leadoff the ninth. After Kimbrel got pinch-hitter Daniel Murphy to fly out, he hit David Wright with a pitch, bringing Davis to the plate. However, Kimbrel was able to fan Davis and Duda struck out looking to end the game.

Game Notes

Tejada had his 10-game hitting streak snapped ... The Mets lost for just the second time in their last nine games ... Prado becomes the 10th player in franchise history to accomplish 60 multi-hit games in a season.