Braves 6, Mets 1: Ben Sheets pitched six shutout innings in his first major-league game in nearly two years, and Freddie Freeman’s three-run homer powered Atlanta to its seventh consecutive victory.

Freeman’s blast into the right-field seats capped a six-run inning, as the Braves capped a sweep of New York. But Sheets (1-0), who hadn’t pitched in the majors since July 19, 2010, with Oakland, was the story. He allowed just two hits, walked one, struck out five and retired the final 10 hitters he faced.

The Braves battered New York starter Johan Santana (6-6) for five hits in the bottom of the fifth. Santana allowed eight hits and six runs in five innings, walking two and striking out three

In the fifth, Michael Bourn doubled home Matt Diaz with the game’s first run. Paul Janish, acquired from Cincinnati on Saturday, scored on Martin Prado’s sacrifice fly. Jason Heyward singled home Bourn, and two hitters later Freeman connected on his 12th homer of the season.

Sheets gave up both of his hits in the third, but got David Wright to fly out with runners on second and third to end the inning.

New York scored in the seventh on Andres Torres’ single off reliever Kris Medlen, scoring Scott Hairston.

Second-place Atlanta moved 3 1/2 games ahead of the third-place Mets in the National League East. New York has lost four in a row and five of its past six. Washington leads the Braves by three games and the Mets by 6 1/2 games.

GAME NOTEBOOK: New York pitching coach Dan Warthen was ejected in the fifth inning for arguing balls and strikes. ... Sheets’ last major-league victory came July 10, 2010, against the Angels. He went six innings (same as Sunday), allowing two hits (same), no runs (same), walking one (same) and striking out four (five strikeouts Sunday). … Struggling Atlanta second baseman Dan Uggla did not play. … Both teams are off Monday. New York plays at first-place Washington on Tuesday, while the Braves host the Giants.