Bullpen Blunders Haunt Mets In Atlanta Loss
The New York Mets (45-27) are in Atlanta Georgia this week for a three-game series against their NL East foes, the Atlanta Braves (31-39). Coming into this series, the third-place Braves sit 13 games behind the first-place Mets.
Left-handed pitcher David Peterson (5-2, 2.43 ERA, 73 SO) was on the mound for the Mets against right-handed pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach (5-4, 3.28 ERA, 90 SO) for the home Atlanta Braves at Truist Park.
It was a special night for the Acuña family as Tuesday night marked the first time Ronald Acuña Jr. and Luisangel Acuña played each other in a major league game. At one point, they were even seen hugging mid-game during a mound visit.
The Mets had a 4-1 lead through seven innings before turning it over in the eighth, as Atlanta tied it and ultimately sent the game to extra innings. The Braves ultimately walked it off in the bottom of the 10th on an Austin Riley sacrifice fly to defeat the Mets 5-4.
The Mets took a quick early lead courtesy of Juan Soto in the first as he sent a home run deep to center field.
The Mets tacked on to their lead in the second. After Jeff McNeil singled and Francisco Alvarez walked, Tyrone Taylor continued his success against Spencer Schwellenbach, lacing a lazy two-run double to right field to score McNeil and Alvarez and extend the Mets’ lead to 3-0.
The Braves got a run back in the bottom of the third as Matt Olson hit an RBI single to cut the Mets’ lead to 3-1.
The Mets answered back in the fifth as Taylor stayed hot. He hit a home run deep to left field for his second extra-base hit of the day and his third RBI of the day. Through five innings, he was responsible for three of the Mets’ four runs on the day.
But the Mets saw their lead slip away in the eighth. David Peterson walked Nick Allen and gave up a single to Ronald Acuña Jr.
After seven strong innings, Peterson ran out of steam and couldn’t make his way through the eighth. Carlos Mendoza called on Reed Garrett to take over with two on and no out, ending Peterson’s night with five hits, three runs, three walks and three strikeouts.
Garrett immediately gave up a single to Alex Verdugo to load the bases. After retiring the next two, he gave up a three-run double to Marcell Ozuna to tie the game, and eventually send it to extras.
A throwing miscue from Francisco Alvarez on a passed ball allowed a runner to advance to third, Matt Olson walked to load the bases and Riley hit a deep sac fly to center to seal their victory and a disappointing Mets loss.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Tyrone Taylor is the Metsmerized Player of the Game. He went 2-for-3 with a double, home run, and three RBIs.
ON DECK
The Mets and Braves continue their series on Wednesday at 7:15 PM EST. It will be right-handed pitcher Paul Blackburn (0-0, 6.75 ERA, 6 SO) on the mound for New York against left-handed pitcher Chris Sale (4-4, 2.79 ERA, 107 SO) on the mound for Atlanta. The game will air on SNY.
The post Bullpen Blunders Haunt Mets In Atlanta Loss appeared first on Metsmerized Online.