ATLANTA (AP) — Alex Wood had enough problems against the Mets without giving up Bartolo Colon's first RBI in a decade.
Wood and reliever Juan Jaime combined for six walks as the Braves' perfect start ended Sunday with a 4-3 loss to Colon and the Mets.
The low point may have come in the fourth, when Colon punched a single into shallow right field to drive in a run.
"Just a fastball," Wood said, adding Colon "just wailed at a fastball and broke his bat and hit a bloop."
Added Wood dryly: "That's always fun."
Wood gave up three runs, eight hits and three walks in 6 2-3 innings as the Braves fell to 5-1.
"He battles. He competes," said Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez. "Today he didn't have his good stuff until the last couple innings."
Jaime walked three in the eighth, one intentionally, setting up Daniel Murphy's tiebreaking sacrifice fly.
Michael Cuddyer's two-run homer off Wood in the first inning put the Mets ahead. Andrelton Simmons answered with a two-run triple in the second.
Colon's single gave the Mets a 3-2 lead. Jonny Gomes' seventh-inning homer just inside the left-field pole tied the game again.
Colon (2-0) lost his batting helmet and broke his bat when he punched the single into shallow right field to drive in Wilmer Flores from third base. With his helmet left behind in the batter's box, the 41-year-old Colon grinned as he stood on first base following his first RBI since June 10, 2005, for the Los Angeles Angels against the Mets.
Colon's hit ended a 0-for-37 slump and was his sixth career RBI. He was only 2 for 62 (.032) with the Mets last year.
Jaime (0-1) walked Curtis Granderson and Anthony Recker opening the eighth. Wilmer Flores sacrificed, andBraves manager Fredi Gonzalez ordered an intentional walk to Ruben Tejada, loading the bases.
Left-hander Andrew McKirahan, making his major league debut, threw two quick strikes before giving up Murphy's fly ball.
TOO MANY WALKS
Gonzalez said Jaime couldn't afford to open the eighth with two walks.
"It's the old saying: You can't walk people," Gonzalez said, adding the walks put McKirahan in a tough spot.
NEW CLOSER
Jeurys Familia got two outs for his first save. Closer Jenrry Mejia, already on the disabled list, was suspended for 80 games Saturday following a positive test for the steroid Stanozolol.
Collins let Jerry Blevins get the first out in the ninth before turning the game over to Familia, who struck out Gomes and ended the game on Phil Gosselin's flyout.
TRAINING ROOM
Mets: Collins said Murphy was "kind of fatigued a little." Murphy had problems with his right hamstring in spring training. Collins said Murphy's legs "are fine." ... Collins said RHP Bobby Parnell, recovering from Tommy John surgery last April, probably will begin his minor league rehab in the Florida State League at a time still to be determined.
Braves: LHP Mike Minor, on the 15-day DL with left shoulder soreness, had more discomfort while attempting to intensify his throwing program in Florida. He returned to Atlanta to be examined by team doctors and will be closely monitored as he tries to restart his throwing program.