NEW YORK, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Jonathan Niese hurled eight shutout innings Saturday to help the New York Mets record a 5-0 win over Atlanta and a doubleheader split.
Niese (1-0), making his second major league start, scattered six hits with two walks and seven strikeouts.
David Wright cracked a two-run first-inning homer. Three others knocked in one run apiece and Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran had three hits and a solo homer each.
Fernando Tatis added three hits and one RBI for the NL East-leading Mets, who lead Philadelphia by 2 ½ games after winning seven of 10.
Three players had two hits for the Braves, who have lost four of 10.
Losing pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes (3-11) gave up four earned runs and five hits in two innings.
Atlanta won the first game by a 3-2 score.
