MLB: Atlanta 5, Philadelphia 2

ATLANTA, July 2 (UPI) -- Matt Diaz doubled in the go-ahead run in the eighth Thursday and Atlanta further tightened the National League East race with a 5-2 victory over Philadelphia.

The Braves completed a three-game sweep of the Phillies, who dropped back into a first-place tie with idle Florida in the NL East.

Atlanta captured its fourth game in a row and climbed within two games of the top spot. The New York Mets, who defeated Pittsburgh earlier Thursday, are only one game out of first.

Ryan Madson (2-4) came on for Philadelphia to protect a 2-2 tie in the eighth, but gave up a leadoff single to Brian McCann. Yunel Escobar sacrificed McCann to second and McCann was lifted for pinch-runner Jair Jurrjens, who scored on the double by Diaz.

Diaz promptly stole third base and pinch-hitter Garret Anderson then homered to right for a 5-2 cushion.

That outburst made a winner out of Mike Gonzalez (3-0), who worked the eighth inning. Rafael Soriano needed just six pitches to make his way through the ninth and record his seventh save.

Atlanta's first two runs came on a fourth-inning homer by Casey Kotchman.