Mets 6, Braves 5: Jon Niese allowed one run in eight strong innings and New York hung on to avoid a sweep by winning for just the second time in its past 13 games at Citi Field.

Ike Davis went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, and Jordany Valdespin hit his eighth homer of the season to support Niese (9-6). The left-hander, who had allowed 11 earned runs in his previous 19 innings, scattered six hits with two walks and six strikeouts.

David Wright’s double scored Mike Baxter in the first off Atlanta starter Ben Sheets (4-2). Davis drove in Wright with a single to right-center, and drove in Wright in the fifth with a single to center.

Trailing 6-1, the Braves made it interesting in the ninth. Juan Francisco and Michael Bourn drew bases-loaded walks off New York closer Frank Francisco with two outs, and Martin Prado's double to right scored two runs as pulled Atlanta within 6-5.

Jon Rauch came on and struck out Jason Heyward for his second save. The third strike was dropped, and Rob Johnson's throw to first just beat Heyward.

Freddie Freeman’s solo homer leading off the second, his 15th of the season, brought the Braves within 2-1. The Mets moved ahead 3-1 on Ruben Tejada’s single to left in the second, scoring Johnson.

Valdespin homered to right leading off the sixth to push the Mets' lead to 5-1. He scored on Andres Torres' single to center in the eighth.

Sheets allowed eight hits and five runs (four earned) in six innings, walking one and striking out five.

The Braves wrapped up a six-game road trip at 4-2, and remain 4 ½ games behind Washington in the NL East.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Bourn hit into a 1-6-3 double play in the eighth, just the second time all season the Braves’ speedster has hit into a double play. … Atlanta P Tommy Hanson allowed three hits in five innings during a rehab start Sunday for Triple-A Gwinnett. … The Mets head on a tough road trip, playing at NL Central leader Cincinnati and at NL East leader Washington. … Atlanta returns home for a seven-game homestand against San Diego and Los Angeles.