Final
  for this game

Torres guides Mets past Braves

Jul 24, 2013 - 5:37 AM Flushing, NY (Sports Network) - Carlos Torres pitched six strong innings and had an RBI single, as the New York Mets topped the Atlanta Braves, 4-1, at Citi Field.

The Braves scored twice in the ninth inning for a 2-1 triumph Monday, but the Mets used a three-run sixth to prevail in the second portion of this four-game set. Ike Davis provided the go-ahead run with an RBI double. John Buck and Juan Lagares also drove in runs during the frame to help the Mets to their third victory in four games.

Torres (1-1), in just his second start of the year and eighth of his big league career, scattered seven hits, including a homer to Andrelton Simmons on the game's second pitch. Torres walked a pair of batters and had six strikeouts while lowering his season ERA to 0.94.

"It's a big boost because obviously we lost Shaun Marcum and we needed somebody to step up for us and he (Torres) stepped up," Mets manager Terry Collins said.

Bobby Parnell retired the side in order in the ninth for his 19th save.

Kris Medlen (6-10) gave up seven hits and four runs over 5 1/3 innings to lose his third consecutive start. The righty suffered his first career loss (4-1) in 18 appearances (8 starts) against the Mets.

"I'm making adjustments," Medlen said. "I just have to zone in on that last inning and prevent myself from doing what I've been doing all year and that's pulling off and leaving the ball up in the zone. That's what happened in that sixth inning."

The NL East leaders lost for the third time in four tries.

Simmons homered to left field, and the Braves threatened for more runs in the first, but Jason Heyward was thrown out at the plate after Evan Gattis singled to center field. That concluded the inning.

Torres singled to left to drive in Lagares, who began the third with a double.

Daniel Murphy and David Wright singled to begin the sixth. Third baseman Chris Johnson saved a run by making a diving stop and threw to second for a force play during Marlon Byrd's at-bat. Byrd was safe at first, and Davis followed with a double off the base of the wall in right field.

Buck then lined a single up the middle for a 3-1 lead. David Carpenter relieved Medlen, and faced Lagares, who lifted a sacrifice fly to right.

Game Notes

The Mets placed pitcher Shaun Marcum on waivers for purposes of his unconditional release on Tuesday. Marcum was placed on the disabled list on July 9 after being diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome ... The Braves lost for just the third time in their last 12 games at Citi Field.