ATLANTA — Jeff McNeil and Mark Vientos each hit two of their team’s six home runs to back a steady pitching performance by Clay Holmes as the New York Mets beat the Atlanta Braves 9-2 on Saturday night, securing a series win in the three-game set between National League East Division rivals at Truist Park.
The Mets (69-60) strengthened their hold on the final NL wild-card spot with their second straight win after having lost 16 of their past 21 games entering the series.
Holmes (11-6) allowed three hits and two runs in 6 1/3 innings to give New York consecutive starts of at least six innings. Rookie right-hander Nolan McLean allowed two runs in seven innings of Friday night’s 12-7 win to become the first Mets starter besides David Peterson to last at least six innings since Holmes on June 7.
McNeil hit a three-run homer off Braves newcomer Cal Quantrill in the third inning. Pete Alonso added a two-run shot off Dylan Lee in the seventh, and Vientos and Starling Marte also connected off Lee in the inning. Vientos and McNeil hit back-to-back homers in the ninth.
Quantrill (4-11) allowed three runs on five hits and five walks in 4 2/3 innings before leaving with cramping in his calves. The right-hander was claimed off waivers from the Miami Marlins on Thursday.