NEW YORK — The New York Mets needed a break, and Johan Santana's bat shattered just in time.

Santana sparked the Mets' offense with an unusual broken-bat infield single and struck out 10 in eight innings, leading New York to a much-needed 6-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs today.

Jose Reyes had a three-run triple for his 200th hit of the season and David Wright drove in two runs with a clutch single for the Mets, who ended a three-game skid reminiscent of last season's epic collapse.

New York, which entered with a one-game lead over Milwaukee in the wild-card race, moved within 1 1/2 games of NL East-leading Philadelphia, which lost 3-2 to Atlanta. The Phillies won the division title last year after the Mets blew a seven-game lead with 17 to play.

Santana (15-7) allowed two runs and seven hits to improve to 8-0 with a 2.26 ERA in his last 16 starts.