Major League Baseball

Mets hit 4 HRs, rally from 5 runs down to beat Braves 10-8

Published Jun. 14, 2015 4:40 p.m. ET

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NEW YORK (AP) Dilson Herrera put paper cups on his ears. Rally cups.

Juan Lagares wore orange wristbands that feature a funny-looking drawing of himself.

Whatever the New York Mets did Sunday to inspire some positive mojo, it certainly worked.

Lagares hit a go-ahead homer and the Mets used a surprising power surge to erase a five-run deficit, beating the Atlanta Braves 10-8 for their biggest comeback victory since 2011.

''That's an amazing win right there,'' said Lagares, given a replica championship belt as the star of the game. ''The whole team battled the whole game.''

Darrell Ceciliani launched his first major league home run, and Herrera also had a solo shot in the fourth inning. Travis d'Arnaud's two-run drive off reliever Brandon Cunniff trimmed the deficit to 8-7 in the fifth.

Pinch-hitter Michael Cuddyer and Curtis Granderson singled in the sixth before Lagares pulled a 1-2 breaking ball from Luis Avilan (2-2) into the left-field stands. Lagares held his bat aloft for a moment as he began his trot around the bases, then celebrated in the dugout with excited teammates who pointed at his wristbands.

''I don't think anybody ever felt like we were out of it,'' d'Arnaud said. ''Shows the fight and resiliency this team has.''

Wilmer Flores had an early two-run single for the Mets, who took two of three in the series. The hitters bailed out Dillon Gee, knocked around in a spot start five days after his first relief appearance in more than four years.

Lagares and Granderson both finished with three hits on Banner Day at Citi Field. None of the four Mets who went deep have more than three homers this season.

The previous time New York won after trailing by at least five runs was Sept. 22, 2011, at St. Louis.

New father Jeurys Familia got four outs for his 19th save in 20 tries, aided by Herrera's sensational play at second base to end the eighth.

Sean Gilmartin (1-0) worked two hitless innings for his first career win, striking out three.

''He did a great job. Right when we needed those innings, he gave them to us,'' manager Terry Collins said.

Jace Peterson hit his second major league homer for the Braves, a three-run shot. He tied a career high with three hits and scored three times from the leadoff spot.

Kelly Johnson had three hits and two RBIs, and Juan Uribe also got three hits. But rookie starter Mike Foltynewicz failed to make it through five innings after he was handed leads of 5-1 and 8-3.

''I just didn't have it today,'' Foltynewicz said. ''It's not a question of confidence. I know how good I am and what I'm capable of. I just have to keep attacking, and work my way through it.''

After he was pulled, the latest meltdown by a struggling bullpen left the Braves with their 10th loss in 14 games at Citi Field.

Atlanta lost for the fourth time this year when scoring at least eight runs. New York had not won when allowing eight or more since beating San Diego 9-8 on Aug. 8, 2011. That was the longest current drought in the majors.

''Couldn't stop them from scoring,'' Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

PROUD PAPAS

Familia rejoined the team after missing Saturday's game to spend time with his new son. Jeurys Familia Jr. was born while the reliever was finishing off Friday night's win. He rushed to the hospital immediately afterward, getting a ride from a Mets employee. ''Can't drive. I was a little nervous,'' said Familia, who received congratulations from teammates when he arrived in the clubhouse Sunday morning. ''Oh, man. I don't have words to describe it,'' he said. ''It feels awesome.'' Mets infielder Ruben Tejada also is a new father. He was activated from the paternity leave list and played third base.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Mets: Tejada will be the regular third baseman until Daniel Murphy (strained left quadriceps) returns from the disabled list, Collins said.

BIG JUMP

Right-handed reliever Akeel Morris, a top prospect at Class A St. Lucie, was on his way to New York and is expected to be available out of the Mets' bullpen Monday, the team said. The 22-year-old Morris has 13 saves and a 1.69 ERA with 46 strikeouts in 32 innings in the Florida State League.

UP NEXT

Braves: Rookie right-hander Williams Perez remains scheduled to start Monday night in Boston after throwing nine pitches in the 11th inning Saturday to earn his first career save.

Mets: SS Jose Reyes returns to Citi Field with the surging Blue Jays in an interleague matchup with familiar faces on both sides. Rookie RHP Noah Syndergaard (2-4), drafted 38th overall by Toronto in 2010, was traded to New York along with d'Arnaud in a December 2012 deal that sent knuckleballer R.A. Dickey to the Blue Jays. Syndergaard pitches Monday night against Mark Buehrle (7-4). ''I'm just going into it like it's another game,'' Syndergaard said. ''I don't really hold any grudges against them for that.''