Mets Wake Up in Ninth, Score 5 Runs to Beat Braves

Keith Hernandez hit a two-run homer and Mookie Wilson delivered a two-run single to highlight a five-run rally in the ninth inning Wednesday night that lifted the New York Mets to a 5-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves.

The Mets entered the ninth having managed just four hits and trailing 2-0. But New York sent 10 men to the plate to go ahead. Tim Teufel led off with a walk against Paul Assenmacher (0-2) and Wally Backman pinch ran. Hernandez sent on an 0-1 pitch into the right-field seats just down the line for his third homer this season. Tuesday night, Hernandez hit two homers, one a grand slam, and registered a career-high seven runs batted in.

Darryl Strawberry lined out and Kevin McReynolds singled. Gary Carter singled to send McReynolds to third, but Carter was thrown out trying to go to second. Charlie Puleo relieved and intentionally walked Howard Johnson.

Dave Magadan, pinch-hitting for Kevin Elster, walked to load the bases. Len Dykstra, pinch-hitting for David Cone, walked on a 3-2 pitch to force in the go-ahead run. Wilson followed with a two-run single to center.

Cone, 2-0, hurled an inning for the win. Roger McDowell pitched the ninth for his first save.

Braves starter Zane Smith yielded four hits over seven innings. He struck out three and walked one. Bruce Sutter struck out one in a hitless eighth before turning the ball over to Assenmacher.

Atlanta scored twice in the fourth off starter Ron Darling. Dale Murphy led off with his second homer of the season, a shot over the left-field fence. One out later, Gerald Perry walked, stole second, and Ken Oberkfell followed with a fly that right fielder Darryl Strawberry lost in the sun for a triple.