MLB: Atlanta 7, NY Mets 3

ATLANTA, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- A three-run homer by Brian McCann in the fifth put Atlanta in front Thursday and the Braves went on to their seventh straight win -- 7-3 over the New York Mets.

Atlanta remained 7 1/2 games behind Philadelphia in the National League East, but moved a half game in front of Florida for second place in the division. The Braves also closed within 4 1/2 games of idle Colorado for the lead in the wild-card race.

New York rallied to tie it at 2-2 after four innings, but Atlanta quickly regained the lead in the fifth.

Nate McLouth and Martin Prado singled off Nelson Figueroa (2-6) and McCann came through with a two-out homer to right. Consecutive singles by Yunel Escobar, Adam LaRoche and Matt Diaz accounted for another run in the fourth.

Jair Jurrjens (12-10) went seven innings to get the win. He allowed two runs, only one of them earned, on six hits.

The Mets have lost five in a row.