ATLANTA, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Daniel Murphy put New York in front with a two-run, eighth-inning double Friday and the Mets took over the NL East lead by downing Atlanta 9-5.
New York moved a half game in front of Philadelphia, which had its seven-game winning streak halted earlier in the evening.
The teams battled to a 5-5 tie into the eighth, but Julian Tavares (1-4) gave up a single to Carlos Delgado leading off the inning. A fielding error by second baseman Kelly Johnson allowed Argenis Reyes to reach base and, one out later, Murphy doubled home both runners.
Jose Reyes then singled home Murphy and base hits by Luis Castillo and David Wright accounted for the fourth run of the inning.
The win went to Pedro Feliciano (3-4), who recorded one out in the seventh. New York won its third straight.
