An early six-run lead for the Mets evaporated faster than the rain on Wednesday night, sending New York to an 11-6 loss against the Braves at a wet Citi Field.
Ineffective pitching was once again the main culprit, though this time it was a rare dud by staff ace David Peterson that did them in. After being given a 6-0 lead, Peterson fell apart in the fourth, allowing four runs and four walks in the inning before being pulled. Reed Garrett came in to finish the fourth but couldn’t stop the bleeding, giving up three earned runs of his own, including a grand slam by Michael Harris II, to make it a nine-run inning for the Braves.
Peterson was charged with six runs on five hits, walking five and striking out five in 3 1/3 innings. Paul Blackburn saved the bullpen by pitching the final five innings, allowing two runs with just one hit and one walk, mercifully.
“It’s frustrating. We’re not holding up our end and we need to do better,” said Peterson about the Mets starters’ inability to pitch deep into games.
Following a 13-5 win on Monday, the Mets looked like they might cruise to another lopsided victory, putting up three runs in both the first and second innings. Pete Alonso’s two-run single, Juan Soto’s two-run homer, and Jeff McNeil’s RBI double were the big blasts. But the offense was shut out over the final seven innings, eliminating any chance of the Mets mounting a comeback of their own.
One day after Alonso set the team home run record, the Mets again made history, though not the good kind. It was the first time in franchise history that they blew a four-plus run lead in three consecutive games, according to Gary Cohen on the SNY broadcast.
It was the Mets’ 12th loss in their last 14 games, and they now lead the Cincinnati Reds by just one game for the final wild card spot.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Alonso followed up his historic night with three singles and two RBI.
ON DECK
Kodai Senga (7–4, 2.30 ERA) will try to get the Mets’ pitching back on track on Thursday night. Righty Bryce Elder (4–9, 6.12 ERA) gets the nod for Atlanta. First pitch is 7:10 PM ET on SNY.
