Seven-Run Third Powers Mets to 8-4 Defeat of Braves

A seven-run third inning highlighted by a J.D. Martinez grand slam pushed the Mets to victory and into the top Wild Card spot Friday night.

The 8-4 win at Citi Field over the Atlanta Braves was dampened, however, when Kodai Senga left with an injury in his season debut.

Senga threw 73 pitches, and his final offering got Austin Riley to pop up on the infield. The 31-year-old came off the mound to give way for Pete Alonso to make the catch and then went down, grabbing at his left calf and grimacing in pain. After a visit from the trainer, he left the game, walking off on his own but appearing to favor his left leg. The Mets announced that it was a left calf strain.

Making his first start since Sept. 27, Senga (1-0) looked sharp, fanning nine over 5 1/3 innings. The 2023 All-Star gave up two runs on two hits and a walk. Adam Duvall homered off a cutter in the second to give Atlanta a 2-0 lead.

New York (55-48) answered emphatically with its biggest inning of the season en route to its fifth win in a row. The Mets lead Atlanta (54-48) by 1/2 a game in the standings and are 31-12 in their last 43 since dropping to a season-low 11 games below .500 on June 2. The Braves have lost six consecutive games.

Martinez launched an opposite field grand slam to give the Mets a 4-2 lead in the third. Mark Vientos added a two-run shot and Francisco Alvarez capped the outburst with a 409-foot solo shot to left. All the home runs came off Charlie Morton, who gave up seven runs (five earned) on six hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Rookie Eric Orze relieved Senga and got the first outs of his career in his second outing. He tossed 1 2/3 innings, giving up a run on a Marcell Ozuna homer, his 29th. Duvall hit his second homer in the ninth off Jake Diekman.

Harrison Bader missed his third straight game with a sore ankle. Manager Carlos Mendoza said the issue will not require a trip to the injured list.

The Mets have won at least five in a row four times this season.

Stat of the Game

The Mets have hit two grand slams this season, both against the Braves. The first was Tyrone Taylor off Luis Guillorme, so Martinez’s homer was the first slam off an actual pitcher this year. It was the ninth slam of Martinez’s career, and he has hit one for five different teams.

Four players have slammed for six teams, according to the SNY broadcast, including Gary Sheffield, who hit one for the Mets. The other three are Fred McGriff, Devon White and Mark Reynolds.

Player of the Game

Senga threw 52 of 73 pitches for strikes in what was an encouraging debut before the injury. He fanned the first batter he faced, Jarred Kelenic, with his ghost fork. According to Baseball Prospectus, the average recovery time for a calf strain is 34 days. The median recovery time is 25 days.

On Deck

Tylor Megill (2-4, 5.08 ERA), back into the rotation with the injury to Christian Scott, will try to get back on track. In five June starts, his ERA was 7.43. The Braves will go with right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (3-5, 4.62 ERA). Game time is 4:10 p.m. It will air on SNY.

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