Spencer Schwellenbach tossed seven strong innings and earned the win Monday night for the visiting Atlanta Braves, who beat the reeling New York Mets 3-2 in the opener of a four-game series between the National League East rivals.

Michael Harris II delivered a second-inning sacrifice fly before Ronald Acuna Jr. homered and Sean Murphy lofted another sac fly an inning later for the Braves, who have won five of seven, including four straight against the Mets since last Tuesday.

Juan Soto hit a two-run homer in the sixth but struck out with runners at the corners to end the eighth for the Mets, who have lost nine of 10 to fall 1 1/2 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. New York held a 5 1/2-game lead on June 12.

Schwellenbach (6-4) gave up the two runs on four hits with one walk while striking out four. The right-hander retired the first eight batters he faced and allowed only one runner as far as second base until the sixth, when he walked Brandon Nimmo with two outs before Soto homered to left-center field.

Raisel Iglesias allowed two-out singles to Francisco Lindor and Nimmo in the eighth before Dylan Lee whiffed Soto to cap an eight-pitch duel. Lee then threw a perfect ninth to earn his second save of the season and the first save for the Braves since May 16.

Acuna was 2-for-5 with a stolen base. He is batting .396 in 28 games since returning from a torn left ACL on May 23.

Matt Olson and Austin Riley added two hits apiece for the Braves, who won despite stranding 11 baserunners and going 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

Paul Blackburn (0-2) took the loss for the Mets after allowing the three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five over 4 2/3 innings. Baty and Lindor had two hits apiece.

–Field Level Media