By MIKE FITZPATRICK
AP Baseball Writer

NEW YORK(AP) -- The way his Atlanta Braves are playing down the
stretch, it's a wonder Bobby Cox doesn't want to stick around
longer.

Tim Hudson pitched six effective innings for his second win
since major elbow surgery and Atlanta beat the New York Mets 5-2
on Wednesday night to complete a three-game sweep.

Hours after announcing Cox will retire as manager following next
season, the Braves won for the 11th time in 13 games. Clinging
to playoff hopes, Atlanta moved within four games of Colorado
for the NL wild card when the Rockies lost 6-3 to San Diego.

"That was nice. It was a good little gift for him," Adam LaRoche
said. "We've done everything we can to get back in this."

LaRoche made a gorgeous, diving play at first base to go with
his three hits and two RBIs. Late substitute Kelly Johnson also
knocked in two runs for the Braves, who won their seventh
straight road game and finished 13-5 against New York this year
by winning the final eight meetings.

It was their first sweep on the road against the Mets since July
2003 at Shea Stadium.

Cox was right in the middle of it. He came out of the dugout to
argue that Garret Anderson's third-inning single off the top of
the right-field fence should have been ruled a home run. Umpires
conferred and upheld the call without looking at video replay.

"We've got 10 games to go and anything's possible," Cox said.
"Keep winning and see what they do."

All-Star catcher Brian McCann was back in the Braves' lineup
after leaving Tuesday night's game with a bruised left wrist.
Third baseman Chipper Jones, however, came out in the seventh
with a stiff back.

Johnson was inserted into the lineup at second base to replace
Martin Prado, scratched after getting hit in the left knee with
line drive during batting practice. X-rays were negative and he
is day to day with a bone bruise.

Mike Pelfrey (10-12) gave up four runs - three earned - and nine
hits in six innings for the feeble Mets, limping to the end of a
miserable season. They've lost nine of 11 and 13 of 16.

"It's tough. It's like going to work every day and having a bad
day," Pelfrey said. "I definitely need a break, a chance to
clear my head and come back next year ready to go. Any way you
look at it, I've had a bad year."

Hudson (2-1) allowed nine hits and two walks in his fifth start
since coming back from elbow ligament replacement surgery
performed in August 2008. Handed a 3-0 lead in the second, the
right-hander pitched out of trouble all night and threw 58 of
his 87 pitches for strikes.

"I'm feeling pretty good. I don't think I'm quite 100 percent,
but I feel like every time out I'm progressing really well,"
Hudson said. "For the first time this year we're going out there
and just playing the game and just really having fun. Obviously,
we know what's at stake. We understand how important it is. But
I think this is as loose as we've been all year."

Luis Castillo hit an RBI single in the third and the Mets put
runners on second and third with nobody out, but David Wright
grounded out, Carlos Beltran struck out and Daniel Murphy
bounced out.

With the bases loaded in the fourth, Castillo grounded into an
inning-ending double play.

"The losing is really difficult. It takes a lot out of you,"
manager Jerry Manuel said. "You're not playing for anything, but
there is still a level of pride. You try to still give your fans
hope that things will be OK."

Mike Gonzalez worked around a leadoff double in a scoreless
eighth before Rafael Soriano got three outs for his 26th save.

Angel Pagan also drove in a run for New York, which was 2 for 18
with runners in scoring position. Murphy went 0 for 4 and
grounded into a double play, stranding seven runners.

The 68-year-old Cox, a four-time Manager of the Year, agreed to
a one-year contract extension for 2010. He will start a
five-year consulting agreement to advise the team in baseball
operations after he steps down as manager.

"I'll believe it when I see it," said Jones, who has played for
Cox his entire career.

During an illustrious tenure on the bench, Cox has guided
Atlanta to 14 consecutive postseason appearances (1991-2005) and
the 1995 World Series title.

"There's no turning back now," he said. "Whatever happens next
year is going to be it."

NOTES: The eight-game losing streak is New York's longest
against the Braves since dropping 11 in a row from 1982-83. ...
Wright played his 835th game at third base for the Mets, tying
hitting coach Howard Johnson's club record.