ATLANTA - Andrelton Simmons two-run single in Atlantas three-run fourth helped the streaking Braves beat Daisuke Matsuzaka and the New York Mets 5-4 on Tuesday night. Curtis Granderson and Daniel Murphy hit two-run homers for the Mets, who have lost three straight and six of seven. The Braves overcame a shaky start from Mike Minor to protect their one-half game lead over Washington in the NL East. Atlanta has won six straight, its longest streak of the season. Shae Simmons (1-0) took over for Minor in the fifth and pitched 1 2-3 scoreless innings. Craig Kimbrel earned his 26th save by striking out Eric Young Jr., Granderson and Bobby Abreu in the ninth. Matsuzaka (3-3) allowed five runs on seven hits and three walks in five innings. He has lost three straight starts. On the day catcher Evan Gattis was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a bulging disk in his back, robbing the team of one of its top power hitters, the Braves found other ways to score. With the game tied 2-2 in the fourth, the Braves staged an improbable three-run inning. Chris Johnson reached on only his eighth walk of the season. With two outs, Johnson scored from second on Minors single to centre — only his second RBI of the season. Following a single and stolen base by B.J. Upton, Andrelton Simmons two-run single to left off Matsuzaka increased Atlantas lead to 5-2. Minor quickly gave back two runs in the fifth on Murphys two-run homer. Minor then gave up singles to Eric Campbell and Lucas Duda before being bailed out by rookie Shae Simmons, whose sidearm delivery produced a fly ball from Chris Young and a strikeout of Travis dArnaud. Minor lasted 4 1-3 innings, matching his shortest start of the season, and allowed four runs on nine hits and one walk. His ERA is 4.73 and he has made eight starts since his last win on May 19. Atlanta rookie catcher Christian Bethancourt, making his second straight start, singled in the second inning to drive in Johnson for his first career RBI. Freddie Freeman had a run-scoring double in the third. Grandersons third-inning homer into the right-field seats drove in Juan Lagares, who had a bunt single. It was the fifth straight start Minor has allowed a homer. Braves second baseman Tommy La Stella suffered a bruised right foot when he was hit by a pitch in the second inning. He left the game in the eighth. NOTES: A few hundred fans arrived early to watch the United States lose to Belgium in the World Cup. The game was shown on the stadium video board. ... Tejada has a 10-game hitting streak. ... B.J. Upton has an eight-game hitting streak and 13 stolen bases. He stole 12 bases in 2013. ... Gov. Nathan Deal threw out the first pitch. ... The Braves recalled RHP Juan Jaime from Triple-A Gwinnett. ... Braves RHP David Carpenter (strained right biceps) is expected to come off the 15-day DL on Wednesday. ... The series ends Wednesday night with Atlantas Julio Teheran facing New Yorks Jacob deGrom. Cheap Air Jordan 11 Free Shipping . He could have transferred when academic sanctions barred the Huskies from the NCAA tournament his junior season. Cheap Authentic Jordan 11 . The thunderous cheers quickly changed to an appreciative chant: "Ma-son! Ma-son! Ma-son! Headed to New York with new life, Mason sure earned this curtain call. http://www.cheapairjordan11freeshipping.com/ . Off-Season Game Plan looks at the Capitals possible summer plans, with the understanding that its tough to plot a direction without a general manager or head coach around which to set those expectations. Jordan 11 Outlet . Tony Parker had 33 points and nine assists and San Antonio never trailed in a resounding 116-92 victory over Portland, bullying the younger Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. Jordan 11 For Sale Cheap Real . Now, Sarah Burkes legacy will live on in Canadas Sports Hall of Fame. Burke, who tragically died at age 29 from a training accident in 2012, headlined the 2014 class named for induction Wednesday.ORLANDO, Fla. - The Carolina Panthers believe Steve Smith lost "top-end" speed, a big reason the franchise parted ways with its all-time leading receiver. Speaking publicly for the first time since cutting Smith two weeks ago, Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday they had to "move on eventually." "He didnt lose his speed," Rivera said at the NFLs annual meetings. "He lost his top end. Steve still fought and would still find ways to make plays. But as far as the football decision goes, we have to move on eventually. This was an opportunity to do it." Smith wasnt unemployed for very long. He signed a three-year contract with Baltimore about 24 hours after the Panthers released him. Rivera said the desire to give young receivers Marvin McNutt, Tavarres King, Brenton Bersin, Kealoha Pilares and Toney Clemons opportunities factored into the decision. "With Steve around, they may never get that chance to develop," Rivera said. Rivera also made it clear the Panthers intend to select a receiver in the NFL draft in May — and hopefully replace Smith. "The thing we have to all understand is that eventually its going to happen; its inevitable," Rivera said. "In this game, its inevitable. A lot of great ones have moved on and gone on and played a couple of more years somewhere else. For us (Rivera and GM Dave Gettleman), this is a very hard decision. I know Dave anguished over it for several days before the decision was made, and we had a lot of discussions about it. Its one of those things that you have to, at some point, make the move to go forward." The decision was not popular among Carolina fans. A third-round draft pick out of Utah in 2001, Smith made an immediate impact as a rookie, returning the opening kickoff of the season for a touchdown against Minnesota. He became the first Panthers rookie selected to the Pro Bowl, earning that honour as a return specialist. Known for his feisty behaviour on the field, Smith became a dominant receiver over the next 12 seasons. He ranks 19th in the NFL in career receptions. He caught 64 passes for 746 yards and four touchdowns in 2013. Smith is Carolinas leader in receptions (836), yards receiving (12,197) and touchdowns (67).dddddddddddd As productive as Smith was, his fiery personality often rubbed people the wrong way, and some viewed him as a distraction in the locker room. Smith had run-ins with teammates on at least two occasions. He punched out fellow wide receiver Anthony Bright in a film room fight and later socked cornerback Ken Lucas on the field during a practice at training camp in Spartanburg, S.C. On both occasions, Smith was suspended by the team. Ravens coach John Harbaugh said they had few reservations about bringing in the 34-year-old Smith, even with his history and his age. "Chemistry is really important, and its something that I think every team should be working really hard to try it build," Harbaugh said in Orlando. "It starts with the type of person that you bring in as a coach and then as a player. But through our investigations, I guess you can call it, we came away feeling really good about the impact Steve is going to have on our team that way. "Hes a tough competitor. Hes a mature, grown man. Hes a family man. Hes a man of faith. I think the world of him." The Panthers signed veteran Jerricho Cotchery to a two-year contract, giving them some experience at the position after releasing Smith and seeing Brandon LaFell, Ted Ginn Jr. and Domenik Hixon leave in free agency. Rivera insisted the team will miss Smith, even though hes not the player he was in his prime. "Hes got a lot of football left," Rivera said. "Hes still explosive. ... He practices so hard. He competes so hard. I think hes at the point now where he has to manage himself and know that, Hey, I cant practice every day like that. "Steve has a lot to prove. Hes got that chip on his shoulder going forward. I know hes going to be 35, but I still know hes going to be a very competitive guy. Hes going to will himself to do some things. But I think as the season wears on, if he hasnt taken the time that hes needed off between the games, he might slow down. But he still has some gas in the tank." ___ Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFLChina NFL JerseysCheap Nike NFL JerseysNFL Jerseys CheapWholesale NFL JerseysCheap Basketball Jerseys OnlineStitched Hockey JerseysWholesale Baseball JerseysFootball Jerseys OutletCollege Jerseys For SaleCheap MLB JerseysWholesale Soccer JerseysWholesale Jerseys For SaleWholesale NFL Jerseys ' ' '