Ashby, Lopez Help Braves Frustrate Mets Again, 12-4

The Atlanta Braves made it look easy, again.

This time it was the pitching of Andy Ashby and a season-high seven-run second inning.

Javy Lopez tripled, singled and drove in three runs during the big inning as the Braves continued their domination over the Mets at Turner Field with a 12-4 victory Tuesday night.

Given a big lead, Ashby (11-12) pitched the Braves to their 20th victory in 22 games against the Mets at home.

The Braves won their fourth in a row overall and expanded their lead over the Mets in the National League East to five games with 11 games left, their largest lead since a 5 1/2-game cushion on Aug. 1.

“Good pitching and good hitting,” said Atlanta third baseman Chipper Jones of his team’s success against the Mets.

“Our starting pitching has been fantastic, but I’m not taking anything for granted. The Mets are a very good team,” he said. “I certainly like our chances if we go six games up with 10 to go, but until the magic number is zero, I’m not counting them out.”

The Mets lost their third consecutive game.

“It wasn’t very devastating. I’m not demoralized,” Met Manager Bobby Valentine said. “I’m not frustrated. If you have a better word, throw it out. I’m angry.”

The Mets, who held a one-half game lead over the Braves entering September, are only 6-12 this month while Atlanta has gone 11-6.

“I just haven’t prepared them to play,” Valentine said. “We’re a good team. We just haven’t played well recently. We have to play better the next 11 games.”

Ashby won his third consecutive start. The right-hander gave up five hits and one unearned run in seven innings. He walked none and struck out six.

Ashby is 7-5 with the Braves after being obtained in a July 12 trade with Philadelphia. He shut out the Mets, 1-0, on a four-hitter on July 23.