The New York Mets (75-66) defeated the Atlanta Braves (54-87) by a score of 6-4 at Turner Field Friday evening. With the win, the Mets will stay a half a game ahead of the Cardinals for the second wild-card spot and have a chance at overtaking the Giants for the first wild card spot. The Giants are currently losing to the Diamondbacks in Arizona.
Pitching:
Robert Gsellman took the hill for the Mets tonight and it wasn’t his best effort. Everything started off fairly well for Gsellman tonight. Through four innings Gsellman had given up only one run and seemed to be able to navigate in and out of some trouble. Overall, Gsellman went five innings giving up four runs while walking two and striking out six.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, everything seemed to fall apart for Gsellman. Dansby Swanson singled on a ground ball to second baseman Wilmer Flores to lead off the inning. Julio Teheran followed with a sacrifice bunt to move Swanson to second.
After Ender Inciarte grounded out but successfully moved Swanson to third, Gsellman appeared like he might get out of the jam. Instead, Adonis Garcia cashed in by hitting a single to centerfield to make the score 2-0. The Braves weren’t done yet. Freddie Freeman singled, Matt Kemp walked, and Nick Markakis also singled making the score 4-0 before Gsellman was finally able to get out of the inning.
Jim Henderson took the hill and struggled in the sixth. Henderson has not been good since returning to the big club. Luckily, Josh Smoker was able to bail him out and the two were able to pitch a scoreless inning.
Hansel Robles and Addison Reed were able to come in and pitch scoreless frames in the seventh and eighth innings.
Jeurys Familia came on in the ninth to shut the door and worked around a lead-off double to record his major league-leading 48th save.
Offense:
The Mets continue to struggle against Julio Teheran. Teheran baffled the Mets for the first four innings running his scoreless pitched innings streak against the Mets up to 29 innings.
In the top of the sixth inning with two out, Yoenis Cespedes was able to single on a ball that was deflected off Teheran. Curtis Granderson followed by blasting his 26th home run of the year. The home run finally put an end to Teheran’s streak and cut the lead in half 4-2.
In the top of the eighth inning, the Mets offense came to life. Alejandro De Aza lead-off the inning with a pinch-hit walk to get things started. Jose Reyes followed by reaching on a fielding error by Dansby Swanson to put runners on first and second. After an Asdrubal Cabrera walk to load the bases, Yoenis Cespedes was able to hit a long sacrifice out to cut the lead to 4-3 and move everyone up. Curtis Granderson followed by lacing a single to Ender Inciarte to tie the game and move Cabrera to third.
Kelly Johnson then came in off the bench and hit a clutch double to give the Mets the lead and move Granderson to third. After Jay Bruce was intentionally walked to load the bases, Mauricio Cabrera plunked Michael Conforto to bring in another run and make the score 6-4.
Notes:
The Mets have now won 6 straight and 15 of their last 19 games
Curtis Granderson has now hit a home run in four straight games.
Lucas Duda will take live batting practice on Saturday in Port St. Lucie for the first time since his most recent setback with a stress fracture in his back.
Steven Matz will look to throw off a mound tomorrow for the first time since landing on the disabled list on August 15th.
Jacob deGrom has resumed throwing from flat ground
JZ Player of the game: Curtis Granderson. Granderson was 2-2 with 2 walks, a home run, and three RBIs tonight. Granderson now has 12 RBIs in his last 27 at-bats.
On Deck:
The Mets will play their second game of a three-game set with the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field tomorrow night. The game has a start time of 7:10 PM. Bartolo Colon (13-7, 3.22 ERA), will look to keep the Mets rolling against John Gant (1-3, 4.70 ERA).
