Atlanta Braves left fielder Reed Johnson, right, leaps in the air, celebrating Braves center fielder Jason Heyward’s ninth inning catch of Justin Turner’s flyout to seal the Braves 2-1 victory over the New York Mets in a baseball game Monday, July 22, 2013, in New York.NEW YORK – Jason Heyward made a diving catch with runners on first and second and two outs in the ninth inning after pinch-hitter Reed Johnson hit a go-ahead single with two outs in a two-run top half, leading the Atlanta Braves to a 2-1, comeback victory over the New York Mets on Monday night.
Playing for the first time after missing six games with a strained right hamstring, Heyward made a long run to his right and slid along the wet grass to hold his glove up after grabbing pinch-hitter Justin Turner’s fly ball.
The Braves took advantage of catcher John Buck’s passed ball to score twice in the ninth against closer Bobby Parnell.
The Braves did not get their first hit off Dillon Gee until Freddie Freeman led off the seventh with a single. But the NL East leaders ended their two-game skid against Parnell (5-5).
With shortstop Omar Quintanilla playing behind second base in a shift, Brian McCann singled through the opening at short to open the ninth. Evan Gattis followed with a bloop single to right-center. David Wright then fielded Dan Uggla’s grounder and stepped on third before leaping over a sliding pinch-runner Jose Constanza. Buck’s passed ball on a high fastball put runners in scoring position before Chris Johnson’s grounder tied it.