Bullpen Implodes Again As Skid Continues, Lose 7-4 to Braves

Right-handed pitcher Frankie Montas was back on the mound on Tuesday for his highly-touted Mets debut as the Mets looked to even the series with Braves after dropping Game 1 3-2.

However, despite securing a 3-0 lead and a clean start by Montas, the Mets’ bullpen gave up seven runs as the Mets’ dropped their fifth straight game to the Braves and 10 of their last 11.

Montas was overall solid in his first game as a Met, throwing five scoreless innings. He struck out five over the course of 80 pitches (46 for strikes). He gave up just three hits over those five innings and walked three as well, but was always able to work himself out of trouble.

But the Mets bullpen could not support their starter as they combined to give up seven earned runs over the course of the last four innings. Huascar Brazoban and Jose Castillo each struggled, allowing six runners in seven batters immediately following Montas’ replacement. The game was tied at three when Reed Garrett replaced them, striking out the first batter he faced. But a Matt Olson double put the Braves up 5-3 and for good.

The Mets struck first in the fourth after being no-hit through the first three innings.

Two walks and single loaded the bases for Jeff McNeil, who hit a sacrifice fly deep enough to left field that allowed Juan Soto to tag-up and score from third to give the Mets the first run of the night.

Strider then walked Torrens to once again load the bases for Brett Baty, who came up clutch with a two-RBI single that scored Alonso and Marte to extend the Mets’ lead to 3-0.

Montas’ night was done after five shutout innings as Carlos Mendoza went to the bullpen in the sixth. And that is when things unraveled.

Following the fifth-inning meltdown, Richard Lovelady retired the first five batters he faced, but a walk to Ronald Acuña Jr. and another Olsen double made it 6-3 after seven.

The Mets tried to rally in the ninth against Braves relief pitcher Enyel De Los Santos. Jeff McNeil got things started with a one-out double. He was followed by a single by Jared Young that put two on to chase De Los Santos out the game. The Braves brought in Raisel Iglesias to replace De Los Santos. Iglesias gave up a two-out double to Ronny Mauricio that scored McNeil, but he then forced Francisco Lindor to ground out to end the game as the Braves went on to defeat the Mets 7-4 at Citi Field.

Stat of the Game

Unfortunately, not a good one: The Mets have now lost 10 of 11.

(A neutral stat is that the temperature at the start of tonight game (97 degrees) is the hottest start to a Met game in over 30 years.)

On Deck

The Mets and Braves continue their series on Wednesday night at Citi Field as the Mets will look for their first win over Atlanta in 2025. The Braves will send right-handed pitcher Didier Fuentes (0-1, 7.20 ERA, 3 SO) to the mound against right-handed pitcher Clay Holmes (7-4, 3.04 ERA, 73 SO) for the Mets.

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