the Hawks continued their offensive upswing as they rolled t

NEW YORK -- This was exactly the kind of situation the New York Mets got Jay Bruce for -- late innings, hoping for a home run. Except now, manager Terry Collins felt as if he had no choice but to pull the All-Star slugger for a pinch hitter.Yanked for a guy who hadnt gotten a hit in the majors since May and was batting .159, at that.Collins strategy worked -- Eric Campbell delivered an RBI single in a three-run eighth -- but the Mets rally fell short Tuesday night in a 5-4 loss to the Atlanta Braves.Very difficult. First time Ive ever been pinch hit for, the badly slumping Bruce said. I always think Im the best choice ... but hes the manager and I respect his decision.He didnt need to explain that to me, he said. I obviously get how the game is played and you know what his thought process was there. I dont deserve any explanation from the manager.The Mets lost to last-place Atlanta for the second straight day. The defeat dropped them into a tie with St. Louis and San Francisco for the two NL wild cards.Bruce still ranks among the NL leaders with 29 home runs and 91 RBI, but has struggled mightily since the Mets got him on Aug. 1 from the Reds for two young players.The market, as you know, this is not Cincinnati, Collins said.Out of the starting lineup for two days as a mental break, Bruce returned and went 0 for 3, leaving him hitless in 12 at-bats and in a 3-for-38 rut.Bruce is hitting only .176 with his new team. The deal certainly hasnt turned out like the big trade last summer that brought Yoenis Cespedes, boosting the Mets into the World Series.I definitely didnt draw it up like this. Coming over here, its been tough on me. But fortunately the team has been playing really well, weve been winning games, were in a good spot when it comes to the playoff race, Bruce said.Im worried about the team, Im worried about winning games. I have plenty of time to think about myself. Right now is not that time, he said.Mets nemesis Julio Teheran pitched seven more sparkling innings and left with a 5-1 lead.After Curtis Granderson hit an RBI double and T.J. Rivera had a sacrifice fly, it was 5-3 with two outs and a runner on second in the eighth. Thats when Collins pulled Bruce and sent up Campbell to face lefty Ian Krol.Its one of the worst things you can do as a manager, to pinch hit for a star, especially one of the elite power hitters in the game. But you know, my job is to try to win the game, Collins said. In my opinion, I know hes struggling, I know hes had struggles with lefties.I think hes extremely frustrated, he added. I know I talked to him about it. ... Hes always had the ability and now he has the chances to, hey, just go out and play. And as I told him, this is a different situation here.The Braves have the worst record in the NL, yet have a four-game winning streak. They beat the Mets for the second day in a row and have won five straight at Citi Field.Teheran (6-10) gave up five hits and left with a four-run lead. Dating to the final time he saw the Mets last season, hes 3-0 with a 0.73 ERA in five starts against them.Jim Johnson pitched the ninth for his 16th save in 19 chances. He struck out Cespedes with a runner on first to end it.Robert Gsellman (2-2) lost in his fifth major league start. The rookie took a 1-0 lead into the sixth before a misplayed flyball cost him.Atlanta loaded the bases with one out and Matt Kemp lofted a catchable fly to right-center. Granderson and Bruce both backed off at the last moment and the ball fell for a single, giving Kemp his 100th RBI.Jay, obviously, being the right fielder, is waiting for me to say something on that situation. I didnt and by the time I pulled up it was too late, Granderson said.NICE GAMEMets SS Asdrubal Cabrera reached base five times -- two singles, a double and two walks -- for the fourth time in his career. He last did it in 2011 with Cleveland.TRAINERS ROOMMets: LHP Steven Matz (shoulder tightness), sidelined since Aug. 14, possibly could start Friday night at home vs. the Phillies. ... INF Wilmer Flores (wrist) got another injection Monday. Collins hopes for a speedy return.UP NEXTBraves: RHP Ryan Weber (1-1, 5.46 ERA) is set to make his second start in the majors this year.Mets: RHP Bartolo Colon (14-7, 3.14) leads the team in wins. The 43-year-old is 5-1 with a 2.21 ERA in his last nine starts. Mariners Jerseys 2019 . The catch: It needs a lot of money, and it needs it fast. Seattle Mariners Pro Shop . After Martin Skrtel put the Reds in front from close range at Stamford Bridge after only four minutes, Hazard hit back in the 17th with a superb strike. Etoo gave Jose Mourinhos team a decisive lead from Oscars back pass in the 34th. https://www.cheapmariners.com/ . -- Jonathan Drouin gave Halifax the boost it needed to edge host Sherbrooke Phoenix 3-2 in a shootout in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Cheap Mariners Jerseys . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. Stitched Mariners Jerseys . Those lessons were more than enough to overwhelm the Utah Jazz. Lou Williams scored 25 points and the Hawks continued their offensive upswing as they rolled to an easy 118-85 victory over the Jazz on Friday night, winning their third straight and for the fourth time in five games. DAYTON, Ohio -- Mark Alstork, who started the season averaging 32.7 points a game, had 23 points on Monday night as Wright State drubbed Division II Ohio Dominican 109-54 to open the Men Against Breast Cancer Classic.Alstork, who was 7 of 11 from the field, also dished out four assists. Grant Benzinger was 3 of 5 from beyond the arc for 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Steven Davis added 14 points and Mike La Tulip chipped in 13 as 11 players got on the scoreboard for Wrright State (3-1).dddddddddddd The Raiders bounced back after dropping their first game to Toledo on Saturday night.Wright State hit 32 of 57 (56.1%) from the floor while holding Ohio Dominican to 20-of-55 shooting. The Raiders also nailed 13 of 26 from beyond the arc and won the rebound battle 43-27.Sam Hickey led Ohio Dominican with 11 points. ' ' '