Nimmo, McNeil back Wheeler in Mets’ win over Braves

ATLANTA (AP) — Brandon Nimmo hit a two-run homer, Jeff McNeil added a two-run double and the New York Mets kept hitting even without Pete Alonso, beating the Atlanta Braves 6-2 on Friday night.

New York has scored six runs in six straight games and got there against Atlanta with the rookie Alonso, the team’s hottest hitter, getting most of the night off. The first-place Mets, who have won three straight, scored four times in the fourth inning on McNeil’s hit and RBI doubles from Robinson Cano and Michael Conforto.

Zack Wheeler (1-1) worked six solid innings after giving up a career-high seven runs in his last start. He allowed six hits, two runs and three walks, striking out eight.

New York went ahead 2-1 in the second on Nimmo’s second homer.

Atlanta took a 1-0 lead in the first on Nick Markakis‘ sacrifice fly. Ronald Acuña Jr.’s RBI double in the fifth made it 6-2.

Braves rookie starter Kyle Wright (0-2) gave up eight hits, six runs and four walks and struck out three in 3 2/3 innings.

New York improved to 8-3 against division opponents (9-4 overall). Atlanta dropped to 2-6 against the NL East.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mets: 3B Todd Frazier was scheduled to play nine innings Friday with Class A St. Lucie and spend more rehab time at shortstop. Frazier played third and first the day before. He is on the injured list with a left oblique strain. … 2B Jed Lowrie, on the injured list with a left knee strain, has been hitting on the field, taking grounders and doing some light running, but he’s still not ready for a rehab assignment.

Braves: C Brian McCann was in uniform the second straight day for batting practice. Sidelined by a right hamstring strain, McCann is eligible to come off the injured list next week.

SHUFFLING LINEUP

Mets manager Mickey Callaway stuck to his plan of giving Alonso, ranked second in the majors in slugging percentage and tied for third with six homers and 17 RBIs, a break during a stretch of nine games in nine days. Alonso popped up as a pinch-hitter in the eighth.

Callaway dropped Nimmo to eighth as he began the night batting .150 with 23 strikeouts, most in the majors, in 38 at-bats. Nimmo went 3 for 4, pushing his average to .205, and scored two runs.

UP NEXT

Mets: LHP Jason Vargas (1-0, 9.00 ERA) will make his second start after pitching one scoreless inning of relief earlier this week. He is 2-2 with a 4.01 ERA in six career starts against Atlanta.

Braves: LHP Sean Newcomb (0-0, 1.64) is 2-2 with a 1.82 ERA in six career starts against New York.