Jason Heyward hit a three-run homer to cap a six-run fourth inning spurred by an error from New York's David Wright.
Tommy Hanson (10-11) won for just the second time in 14 starts for the Braves, who are three games behind the Phillies in the NL East, and with a half-game lead over San Diego in the wild-card race.
Mets pitcher Jonathon Niese (9-9) gave up a two-run double before Heyward drilled a shot off the facing of the second deck in right field. All the runs against Niese were unearned because of Wright's error.
In St. Louis, Yadier Molina went 4 for 4 with a career-high five RBIs to lead St. Louis over San Diego.
The Padres remained half a game behind first-place San Francisco in the NL West, but fell 1-1/2 games behind Atlanta in the wild-card race. San Diego had led the NL West by 6-1/2 games on Aug. 25.
St. Louis has won 11 straight games against San Diego at Busch Stadium, tying the longest active streak in the major leagues.
The Cardinals pounded out a season-high 19 hits and saddled San Diego rookie Mat Latos with the worst loss of his career. Latos (14-7) lasted just 1 1-3 innings and gave up eight earned runs.
St. Louis starter Kyle Lohse (4-7) allowed seven hits over five innings to take the win.
In Houston, Angel Sanchez hit a tiebreaking two-run single in the seventh and Houston went on to beat Cincinatti.
Three straight singles loaded the bases before Sanchez's tiebreaker off Aroldis Chapman (1-1).
Houston's Jeff Fulchino (2-0) pitched one-third of an inning for the victory.
In Los Angeles, Troy Tulowitzki hit 12th homer in September, powering Colorado to a win over Los Angeles that moved the Rockies closer to a playoff spot.
Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez (19-6) tied Roy Halladay and C.C. Sabathia for the major league lead in wins as Colorado closed within 1-1/2 games of NL West-leading San Francisco.
The Dodgers' defeat came hours after manager Joe Torre announced he would leave at season's end, after three years in L.A..
In San Francisco, Randy Wolf pitched a complete game shutout as Milwaukee kept San Francisco from extending its lead in the NL West.
Wolf (12-11) tossed his 13th career complete game and ninth shutout. It was his first in both categories since 2008. He struck out six and finished his 111-pitch gem in 2 hours, 29 minutes.
Giants rookie Madison Bumgarner (5-6) allowed nine hits, matching his season worst, in 5 2-3 innings.
In Philadelphia, Roy Oswalt threw six sharp innings to earn his seventh straight win as Philadelphia beat Washington.
Oswalt (13-13) allowed one run and struck out seven. He s 7-0 with a 1.41 ERA in his past eight starts and 7-1 overall since Philadelphia acquired him from Houston.
The Phillies won their fifth straight game and reduced their magic number for clinching their fourth consecutive division title to 12. The two-time NL champions entered with a three-game lead over Atlanta.
Philadelphia jumped on Nationals pitcher Jason Marquis (2-9) for six runs in the first inning.
In Miami, Ryan Dempster pitched seven scoreless innings to steer Chicago past Florida.
Dempster (14-10) posted his fifth consecutive road victory. He has tossed seven shutout innings in each of his past two starts.
The Cubs matched their season best with their fourth consecutive victory.
Marlins pitcher Alex Sanabia (4-3) allowed four hits.
In Pittsburgh, Ronny Cedeno's single in the bottom of the ninth scored Andrew McCutchen and Pittsburgh snapped a four-game losing streak by defeating Arizona.
Cedeno's soft line drive to right-center off Esmerling Vasquez (1-6) came after two walks. McCutchen was pinch-hitting after being scratched from the lineup about 30 minutes before game time due to a stomach ailment.
Pirates closer Evan Meek (5-4) retired the final two batters of the top of the ninth after entering the inning during a two-on, one-out jam.
