ATLANTA _ Robert Gsellman's season has been an exercise in inconsistency, one that has confounded the Mets, who just a year ago believed they had unearthed a potential rotation mainstay.
But Gsellman took a small step in restoring that faith on Sunday, when he handcuffed the Braves over seven strong innings in a 5-1 win that gave the Mets their first series victory on the road since mid-August.
Gsellman, 24, surrendered only an unearned run in the seventh inning when rookie shortstop Amed Rosario misplayed consecutive grounders. Otherwise, the right-hander looked like the pitcher who emerged in the second half last season, allowing three hits, striking out three and walking none.
The performance came after he walked a season-high five batters in a loss in his previous outing against the Cubs on Tuesday.
By taking two of three against the Braves at SunTrust Park, the Mets (64-84) took their first road series since winning two of three on Aug. 10-13 at Philadelphia.
The Mets opened a 2-0 lead off Julio Teheran in the first inning when Jose Reyes lined an RBI triple, then later scored on a Rosario groundout. Teheran lost for just the second time in his last six decisions against the Mets.
The Mets tacked on three runs in the ninth when September call-up Phil Evans knocked in his first big league RBI with a double. Asdrubal Cabrera followed with a two-run, pinch-hit homer to push his hitting streak to 11 games.
Gsellman extended what has been a solid rebound for a Mets' pitching staff that got torched for 39 runs in a three-games sweep to the Cubs to begin this road trip.
Against the Braves, the Mets surrendered only seven runs in three games at SunTrust Park, where they finished the ballpark's inaugural season 7-3.
The Mets continue their road trip on Monday against the Marlins when Matt Harvey returns to the mound for his fourth start since coming off the disabled list. He's looking to rebound after he lashed out in frustration following a loss to the Cubs in which he gave up five run in 3 1/3 innings.
