Byrd, Davis help Mets top Braves

Flushing, NY – Marlon Byrd hit a two-run home run and Ike Davis had a home run and two RBI as the New York Mets defeated the Atlanta Braves, 5-3, in the opener of a two-game series at Citi Field.

New York starter Zack Wheeler (6-2) gave up three runs on six hits and three walks over 6 2/3 innings. LaTroy Hawkins pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to notch his fifth save.

"I felt pretty comfortable against them. I mean no bash on them, but it's an easy gameplan," Wheeler said. "Dan (Warthen) has a good gameplan going in ... and Travis (d'Arnaud) did a nice job calling the game,"

The Mets are 17-16 since the All-Star break.

Andrelton Simmons drove in all three runs for the Braves. Brandon Beachy (2-1) registered his first loss of the season, surrendering four runs -- three earned -- on five hits in six frames.

In the opening frame, Eric Young reached first on a fielding error by Simmons and later stole second base. With two outs, Davis brought Young home with a single to right.

The Mets scored three runs in the sixth. Young and Daniel Murphy hit back-to- back singles to start the inning before executing a double steal. McCann's throw to second was off the mark, allowing Young to score.

Byrd then hammered a 2-2 pitch over the wall in left to give them a 4-0 lead.

"It might have been a strike, but I don't think it was up. I didn't hang it, it was a decent pitch," said Beachy. "Maybe I should have thrown it the dirt but he hit it, he hit it hard, and that's what happens."

However, the Braves responded in the seventh. Wheeler retired the first two batters before allowing a double to Paul Janish and walking pinch-hitter Joey Terdoslavich and Jason Heyward. With the bases loaded, Carlos Torres came into the game in relief, but he gave up a bases-clearing double to Simmons.

Davis' leadoff homer in the eighth accounted for the final margin.

Game Notes

The Mets lead the season series 8-7 ... Young has 28 stolen bases this season, the fifth most in the National League ... Murphy is on a seven-game hitting streak ... B.J. Upton came out in the ninth and struck out. He is hitless in his last 20 at-bats ... Atlanta's Alex Wood is scheduled to face New York's Jonathon Niese in Wednesday's series finale.