Atlanta Braves center fielder B.J. Upton (2) celebrates after scoring on an Andrelton Simmons two-run single in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 1, 2014. Atlanta won 5-4.ATLANTA - Andrelton Simmons' two-run single in Atlanta's three-run fourth inning helped the streaking Braves beat Daisuke Matsuzaka and the New York Mets 5-4 on Tuesday night.
Curtis Granderson and Daniel Murphy hit two-run homers for the Mets, who have lost three straight games and six of seven.
The Braves overcame a shaky pitching start from Mike Minor to protect their one-half game lead over Washington in the National League East. Minor did have a key hit, though, as Atlanta won its sixth game in a row, its longest streak of the season.
Shae Simmons (1-0) took over for Minor in the fifth and pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Craig Kimbrel earned his 26th save by striking out Eric Young Jr., Granderson and Bobby Abreu in the ninth.
Matsuzaka (3-3) allowed five runs on seven hits and three walks in five innings. He has lost three straight starts.
On the day catcher Evan Gattis was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a bulging disk in his back, robbing the team of one of its top power hitters, the Braves found other ways to score.
With the game tied 2-2 in the fourth, the Braves staged an improbable three-run inning. Chris Johnson reached on only his eighth walk of the season. With two outs, Johnson scored from second on Minor's single to center -- only his second RBI of the season. Following a single and stolen base by B.J. Upton, Andrelton Simmons' two-run single to left field off Matsuzaka increased Atlanta's lead to 5-2.
Minor quickly gave back two runs in the fifth on Murphy's homer. Minor then gave up singles to Eric Campbell and Lucas Duda before being bailed out by rookie Shae Simmons, whose sidearm delivery produced a fly ball from Chris Young and a strikeout of Travis d'Arnaud.
Minor lasted 4 1/3 innings, matching his shortest start of the season, and allowed four runs on nine hits and one walk. His earned run average is 4.73, and he has made eight starts since his last win on May 19.
Atlanta rookie catcher Christian Bethancourt, making his second straight start, singled in the second inning to drive in Johnson for his first big-league RBI. Freddie Freeman had a run-scoring double in the third.
Granderson's third-inning homer into the right-field seats drove in Juan Lagares, who had a bunt single. It was the fifth straight start Minor in which has allowed a homer.
Braves second baseman Tommy La Stella suffered a bruised right foot when he was hit by a pitch in the second inning. He left the game in the eighth.
B.J. Upton has an eight-game hitting streak and 13 stolen bases. He stole 12 bases in 2013.
The Braves called up right-handed pitcher Juan Jaime from Class AAA Gwinnett. Fellow right-hander David Carpenter (strained right biceps) is expected to come off the 15-day disabled list today.
The series ends tonight with Atlanta's Julio Teheran facing New York's Jacob deGrom as the starting pitchers.