NEW YORK (AP) — Pinch-hitter Brandon Drury delivered a tiebreaking homer in the seventh inning and right fielder Michael Conforto threw out a runner at the plate in the ninth to preserve the New York Mets’ 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves.

The first-place Mets have maintained their five-game lead on the third-place Braves in the NL East by splitting the first four games of the five-game series.

Drury, batting for reliever Trevor May, hit Max Fried’s 1-0 pitch well into the left field seats for his fourth pinch-hit homer of the season, tying him for the major league lead with the Braves’ Pablo Sandoval.

  • Atlanta Braves pitcher Max Fried delivers during the first inning of the team’s baseball game against the New York Mets, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
  • Atlanta Braves pitcher Max Fried delivers during the third inning of the team’s baseball game against the New York Mets, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
  • Atlanta Braves’ Austin Riley hits a solo home run during the sixth inning of the team’s baseball game against the New York Mets, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
  • New York Mets pinch-hitter Brandon Drury hits a solo home run during the seventh inning of the team’s baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
  • New York Mets pitcher Trevor May delivers during the seventh inning of the team’s baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
  • Atlanta Braves’ Ozzie Albies completes a double play after forcing New York Mets Jeff McNeil out off a hit by J.D. Davis during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
  • New York Mets catcher James McCann tags out Atlanta Braves’ Abraham Almonte off a pinch hit from Ehire Adrianza during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in New York. The Mets won 2-1. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
  • New York Mets’ Michael Conforto (30) and Brandon Nimmo celebrate after Atlanta Braves during their baseball game, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in New York. The Mets won 2-1. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
  • New York Mets’ Michael Conforto (30) and Pete Alonso celebrate after defeating the Atlanta Braves during their baseball game, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in New York. The Mets won 2-1. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)