"With six games left in the season, the skidding Braves are on the precipice of dubious distinction, with the possibility of owning one of the worst collapses in baseball history unless they get their act together.

Their wild-card lead over St. Louis was cut from 8 1/2 games Sept. 5 to two games by the surging Cardinals, who blew a late lead and lost 8-6 to the New York Mets on Thursday. The Braves' magic number to clinch the wild card is five.

"We need to come out and start winning games, whatever it takes," catcher Brian McCann said after losing 4-0 at Florida on Wednesday, the Braves' third loss in four games and 15th in 24."