Wright, Perez Carry Mets Over Braves

NEW YORK - David Wright hit a two-run homer and Oliver Perez tossed another gem against the Atlanta Braves, leading the New York Mets to a tidy 3-2 victory Monday night.

Perez outpitched an effective Tim Hudson, who used his top-notch sinker to induce a steady stream of easy grounders. But slumping leadoff batter Jose Reyes scampered around the bases twice and Wright delivered the big blow, sending New York to its fourth straight win and ninth in 10 games.

The NL East leaders took the opener of a three-game series - and they hope to put away their longtime nemesis by the time it's over. Chipper Jones (strained muscle) and Andruw Jones (illness) were scratched from the lineup minutes before the first pitch, leaving Atlanta without two big boppers.

The Braves, who began the day fifth in the NL wild-card race, fell five games behind front-running San Diego. They are 9 1/2 behind New York in the division, their largest deficit this season. Atlanta has 18 games remaining, 11 on the road.

The Mets, who started their surge with a three-game sweep in Atlanta, have a chance to all but lock up their second consecutive NL East title on this nine-game homestand - and they're taking advantage of the opportunity. New York is 4-0 since a 5-5 road trip. The second-place Phillies come in next.

Perez (14-9) was cruising until Jeff Francoeur singled in the seventh and Brian McCann hit a two-run homer with two outs, cutting it to 3-2. But the left-hander regrouped, striking out Willie Harris with his 116th pitch.

Aaron Heilman worked a perfect eighth. Billy Wagner got three quick outs for his 33rd save in 37 chances and third in three days. Center fielder Carlos Beltran made a sliding catch for the final out, and the Mets (82-61) moved a season-best 21 games above .500.

Perez allowed five hits with two walks and seven strikeouts, improving to 4-1 with 32 strikeouts in five starts against Atlanta this year.

Hudson (15-8) yielded three runs and five hits in seven innings. He beat the Mets in his first two outings against them this season, but has lost twice to New York since Aug. 31.

Beltran drove in Reyes with an RBI groundout in the first. Reyes drew a leadoff walk in the sixth and swiped second for his 75th stolen base. After Luis Castillo's sacrifice, Wright drove a 2-2 pitch to left-center for his 28th homer and a 3-0 lead, drawing more chants of "MVP! MVP!"

After giving up consecutive singles to Reyes and Castillo to start the game, Hudson retired his next 13 batters - all on grounders, including seven straight to second baseman Martin Prado.

Paul Lo Duca ended the string with a line-drive single, then Lastings Milledge struck out and Perez flied to shallow left for the final out in the fifth.

Chipper Jones strained a muscle on his right side during batting practice, potentially a huge blow for the Braves as they try to stay in playoff contention. It was uncertain how long the star third baseman might be out.

Andruw Jones was removed from the lineup because of an illness. Both sluggers were day to day.

Notes:@ Mets LF Moises Alou extended his hitting streak to 15 games with his first triple of the season in the sixth inning. ... Wright got his 31st stolen base in the eighth. ... McCann has hit safely in 29 of his last 34 games.