Minor pitches, hits Braves past Mets

photo Atlanta Braves starter Mike Minor pitches against the New York Mets in their game at Citi Field on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in New York.

NEW YORK - Mike Minor took a two-hit shutout into the eighth inning after hitting a double and single himself, leading the Atlanta Braves over the New York Mets 6-1 Thursday night.

Minor (6-8) had an RBI single in the second inning for the game's first run, and he doubled and scored in the eighth.

Minor was perfect for four innings before Lucas Duda led off the fifth with a single that just barely touched the glove of leaping shortstop Andrelton Simmons.

The Mets didn't have a runner in scoring position until Travis d'Arnaud opened the eighth with a double. Eric Campbell followed with an RBI single, finishing Minor.

Minor gave up four hits, struck out five and walked none.

Mets starter Jonathon Niese (7-10) pitched into the eighth inning, when Atlanta scored twice for a 3-0 lead.

Pinch-hitter Ryan Doumit hit a two-run homer in a three-run ninth. Emilio Bonifacio got four hits, drove in two runs and stole a base.

Simmons drew a two-out walk in the second, Gerald Laird singled and Minor had a solidly stroked single to left for his fourth RBI of the season.

Niese had allowed only one run until Minor and the Citi Field wind helped Atlanta score twice in the eighth.

Minor led off the eighth with his fifth career double, a ball that the wind carried over the head of right fielder Curtis Granderson. Bonifacio hit a triple to center field that was also helped by the wind and scored on Freddie Freeman's single.

The wind also boosted Doumit's shot onto the bridge beyond the wall in right-center field. Doumit connected off Daisuke Matsuzaka, who came off the disabled list before the game.

Atlanta returns home from a 10-game road trip to begin six-game homestand tonight against Miami and Philadelphia. Right-hander Ervin Santana (13-7, 3.60 ERA) takes the mound against Marlins righty Tom Koehler (9-9, 3.82). Santana is 2-0 with a 3.26 ERA in three starts this year against Miami.

Braves left-handed reliever Jonny Venters has been shut down for the rest of the year after a visit with Dr. James Andrews revealed a tear in his elbow. Venters was rehabbing following his second Tommy John reconstructive surgery.

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