ATLANTA — Two straight days of offensive fireworks appeared as if it might extend to three for the Mets after Mark Vientos’ second-inning home run Sunday.

The Mets had a two-run lead and though it was too early to taste a sweep, the scent was at least in the air for manager Carlos Mendoza’s crew.

But opportunities escaped over the next seven innings, along with the knockout punch on these beleaguered Braves.

Not quite enough offense, starting pitching and relief conspired to sink the Mets in a 4-3 loss at Truist Park that completed a .500 road trip against two sputtering NL East foes (the Nationals were the other).

The class of the division awaits, with the Phillies heading to Queens for three games.

Brett Baty reacts after striking out during the Mets’ loss to the Braves on Aug. 24. AP

Mets first base Pete Alonso (20) swings the bat as it snaps in the game against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning at Truist Park. Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images

If the Mets are going to erase their seven-game deficit for first place, the next three days would be the place to start.

The Mets began Sunday leading the Reds by 1 ½ games for the NL’s third and final wild-card berth.

“We’re in a good spot,” David Peterson said after allowing two earned runs over 5 ²/₃ innings in a no-decision. “We had a good couple of games the last few days and I think the guys are excited to get back home.”

Gregory Soto, who had been perfect in his first 10 relief appearances with the Mets, surrendered a two-run single in the eighth to Jurickson Profar that snapped a 2-2 tie.

The Mets scored 21 runs in winning the first two games of this series, but the bats cooled a day after they hit six home runs.

Included was a 1-for-9 performance with runners in scoring position.

Brett Baty makes a throw during the sixth inning of the Mets’ loss to the Braves on Aug. 24. AP

Mark Vientos of the Mets reacts as he rounds the bases following a two run home run during the second inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on August 24, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. Getty Images

“Whether we get the lead or we’re trailing, we have got to finish games,” Mendoza said. “Little things that we’re not doing right now continue to add up.”

The lefty Soto plunked pinch-hitter Vidal Brujan on a 1-2 slider to load the bases with two outs in the eighth before Profar delivered the go-ahead two-run single.

Earlier, the Mets were slow in turning a potential double play that would have ended the sixth inning for Peterson, and the Braves scored twice to tie it.

Sean Murphy hits a two-run single during the Braves’ win against the Mets on Aug. 24. AP

Juan Soto’s RBI single in the ninth — the Mets’ third hit of the inning — reclaimed a run, but Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil were retired in succession with the tying and go-ahead runs on base.

“We got a couple chances and didn’t get the big hit,” Mendoza said. “But we won a series here and now we’ve got a good team coming up and we have got to be ready.”

Peterson rolled into the sixth before struggling to find the strike zone, walking two batters.

Gregory Soto makes a pitch during the Mets’ loss to the Braves on Aug. 24. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

After Brett Baty was slow in the relay to first base from Ronny Mauricio for a potential inning-ending double play on Ozzie Albies’ grounder, the Braves tied it on Sean Murphy’s two-run single.

“I just didn’t do a good enough job after the ground ball, continuing to get ahead of guys and fell behind in the count,” Peterson said.

Overall, Peterson pitched 5 ²/₃ innings and allowed two earned runs on five hits with eight strikeouts and four walks.

Mets pitcher David Peterson (23) pitches the ball against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning at Truist Park. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Pitching coach Jeremy Hefner (r.) talks with David Peterson during the Mets’ Aug. 24 loss, Imagn Images

Peterson’s start was the first in three games in which a Mets pitcher did not finish at least six innings — Nolan McLean and Clay Holmes went back-to-back with strong outings to open the series.

Vientos homered in a third straight at-bat over two games to give the Mets a 2-0 lead in the second inning.

It was the fifth homer in seven games for Vientos and his 12th this season.

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Vientos jumped on a 3-1 slider from Bryce Elder and cleared the left field fence after McNeil had walked to open the inning.

Cedric Mullins, Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto all drew two-out walks in the seventh, but lefty reliever Dylan Lee retired Alonso to end the threat.

McNeil got plunked leading off the eighth, and the go-ahead run got to second base on a wild pitch with two outs before Mauricio was retired.

Now the Mets get to face the Phillies on Monday in the first of seven games the division foes will play over the next two weeks.

“These are big games,” Vientos said. “I feel like every game is important, but against them, one and two [in the division] right now. I think we have got to treat them like every other game.”