MLB: Atlanta 3, New York Mets 0

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NEW YORK, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Paul Maholm and five relievers combined to throw Atlanta's third straight shutout Friday, which came in a 3-0 decision over the New York Mets.

Atlanta pitching has thrown 28 scoreless innings since Colorado scored two runs in the eighth inning against the Braves in a 6-0 victory Tuesday. The Braves then blanked the Rockies 1-0 on both Wednesday and Thursday before limiting the Mets to five hits.

All five of those hits were given up by Maholm (12-9), who was lifted after 5 1/3 innings when the Mets put runners on first and second.

Atlanta used two relievers to get out of that inning unscathed, Jonny Venters carried the Braves through the seventh and Eric O'Flaherty worked the eighth.

Craig Kimbrel issued a leadoff walk in the ninth, but retired the next three batters for his 35th save. The five members of the bull pen combined to walk two and strike out five.

Jason Heyward's fourth-inning homer put Atlanta in front, David Ross contributed a sacrifice fly in the seventh and Dan Uggla hit a solo shot in the ninth.

Jonathon Niese (10-9) suffered the loss, allowing a lone run on five hits in six innings.