MLB: Atlanta 8, New York Mets 3

ATLANTA, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Brian McCann drove in a run in each of his first three trips to the plate Wednesday and Atlanta took advantage of four New York errors to down the Mets 8-3.

Half of the Atlanta runs were unearned, helping the Braves overcome the early loss of starting pitcher Kris Medlen, who left the game in the fifth inning with what team officials said was a ligament injury in his right elbow. He will undergo further tests Thursday.

Mike Dunn (1-0) replaced Medlen with a runner on and one out in the fifth and eventually worked 1 1/3 innings to get the first win of his major league career. Dunn, making his 11th career appearance, scattered over two seasons.

McCann doubled home a run in the first, hit a solo homer in the third and had another RBI double in the fifth. Chipper Jones and Melky Cabrera also hit solo homers for the Braves.

Mike Pelfrey (10-6) allowed eight hits over 4 2/3 innings to take the loss. Three of the five runs he surrendered were earned.

New York fell 7 1/2 games behind the first-place Braves in the National league East.