The New York Mets (39-33) defeated the Atlanta Braves (25-48) by a score of 8-6 at Turner Field Friday evening.
Offense:
Aaron Blair wasn’t very good tonight and the Mets took advantage.
The Mets got things started in the top of the second inning. Neil Walker started the inning off with a sharp single into center field. After James Loney was hit with a pitch, Wilmer Flores crushed a ground rule double into the gap to plate Loney. After a Michael Conforto strikeout, Travis d’Arnaud grounded out but it would plate Loney giving the Mets the early 2-0 lead.
In the top of the fourth inning, Neil Walker lead off with a single into right field. James Loney, who has been raging hot lately, followed with a double moving Walker to third. After Wilmer Flores grounded out sharply and Aaron Blair intentionally walked Conforto to load the bases, Travis d’Arnaud made him pay with a 2 RBI single to right field. Steven Matz would follow with a well-timed sacrifice fly giving the Mets the 5-0 lead.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Mets got right back at it. Asdrubal Cabrera kicked off the inning with a walk. After a Yoenis Cespedes line out, Neil Walker singled on a line drive to left field. James Loney was next and he crushed a home run over the center field wall giving the Mets an 8-0 lead.
Pitching:
Steven Matz was on the hill for the Mets tonight and he was on cruise control for the first four innings. Matz allowed only one hit through the first four but man oh man did the wheels fall off in the fifth.
Jeff Francoeur lead off the fifth inning with a double into the gap. Nick Markakis followed with a double of his own on a play in which Cespedes lost the ball in the lights and let the ball drop right next to him. Adonis Garcia followed with a double. Tyler Flowers followed with a single. After a groundout from Erick Aybar, Brandon Snyder hit a three run home run. Jace Peterson singled. Ender Inciarte singled. Freddie Freeman singled.
Whew. Finally, Matz was mercilessly removed from the game in what was a complete meltdown. Six runs would come in for the Braves in the fifth inning. All in all, Matz pitched 4.1 innings, allowing 6 earned runs, walking none, and striking out none.
Matz was shown rubbing his elbow before the fifth inning started so it might be something to monitor.
Hansel Robles came in to clean up Matz’s mess in the fifth and he quickly got himself out of the never ending inning.
Robles would again come in for the sixth and seventh innings and would pitch a 1, 2, 3 inning both times. Robles has been an absolute life saver lately retiring eight in a row tonight.
Antonio Bastardo would came in for the Mets in the eighth. After retiring the first two batters, Bastardo gave up a double to Nick Markakis. Terry Collins went straight to his closer and Jeurys Familia recorded the quick final out of the inning.
Familia came back in for the ninth and got himself into a little bit of trouble. With two runners on and no out, Familia was able to get Chase d’Arnaud to hit into a double play. With two out, Familia was able to strikeout Jace Peterson to record his 25th save of the season. Familia is 25 for 25 in save opportunities in 2016.
Notes:
Jose Reyes is about to clear waivers and is allowed to sign with any team tomorrow at 1:00 PM. It is being widely reported Reyes is set to join the team that birthed him.
Yoenis Cespedes turned his ankle on a pick off play tonight. Cespedes was able to tape up the ankle and stay in the game.
James Loney made two incredible scoops at first base. Combined with his offense, he was the MVP tonight. Hansel Robles gets honorable mention in my book.
On Deck:
The Mets will play their third game of a four game series with the Atlanta Braves tomorrow night at Turner Field. The game has a start time of 7:15 PM. Jacob deGrom (3-4, 2.96 ERA) will look to keep the Mets going against righty Julio Teheran (3-7 2.66 ERA). Teheran is coming off a complete game, one hit shutout against the Mets his last time out.
