Ventura Helps Mets Move Closer

Robin Ventura had three hits, including a homer, and the New York Mets defeated the Atlanta Braves, 7-3, Saturday night at Shea Stadium.

The Mets moved within 31/2 games of Atlanta in the NL East. The defending NL champions have won 22 of 27 since Aug. 17 to knock 10 games off the Braves’ lead and resurrect a season that appeared over only a month ago.

New York took advantage of an injury to Greg Maddux and a strong start by Steve Trachsel (10-12) to beat the Braves for the second consecutive game.

Maddux left the game after two batters because of anhyperextended right elbow, but he is not expected to miss a start.

Trachsel gave up one run and five hits in seven innings.

Florida 3, Philadelphia 2--Derrek Lee broke an eighth-inning tie with a two-out double against Jose Santiago (2-4) at Philadelphia.

Matt Clement (9-10) gave up two runs and six hits in seven innings.

Cliff Floyd’s two-run homer for Florida against Robert Person in the sixth tied the score, 2-2.

Houston 8, Chicago 4--Orlando Merced hit a three-run triple against Kevin Tapani (9-13) and Jeff Bagwell had a two-run double in a six-run fifth inning at Houston.

The rally kept the Astros 31/2 games ahead of second-place St. Louis in the NL Central.

St. Louis 4, Pittsburgh 1--Rookie Albert Pujols drove in his 15th run of the week and the Cardinals won for the ninth consecutive time.

Bud Smith (6-2) won his third consecutive decision, giving up four hits in five innings.

Montreal 3, Colorado 1--Brian Schneider hit his first major league home run to back six solid innings from Masato Yoshii (4-5) at Montreal.

Cincinnati 3, Milwaukee 1--Adam Dunn became the first Cincinnati rookie to hit 15 homers since Gary Redus in 1982, helping the Reds win at Milwaukee.