Christian Scott and the Mets (36-52) took on the Braves (51-35) in the first game of a four-game set. A.J. Ewing‘s first career game in the leadoff spot did not result in a winning effort, with the Braves winning 5-3.
Ewing led off for the first time as a major leaguer in the first inning, flying out to begin things. A Bo Bichette walk after a Juan Soto strikeout gave the Mets a base runner for Francisco Lindor. The Mets shortstop singled, giving Carson Benge a chance to put the team on the board early. The youngster ripped a ball into the right-center field gap that was snagged by Michael Harris II in the webbing of his glove to end the inning.
Scott took the mound, looking to continue his stellar second MLB season. The right-hander would get off to a good start, setting the Braves down in order, keeping the game 0-0 through the first inning.
After the Mets went down in order to begin the second inning, Harris hit a two-run home run that made it 2-0 through two innings.
After Luis Torrens grounded out to begin the third inning, Ewing reached on an error. Soto came to bat and hit a 359-foot home run to the opposite field that just snuck over the left field wall, tying the game at 2-2.
The tie did not last long, as Scott allowed a one-out solo home run to Ozzie Albies to give the Braves back the lead at 3-2 after three innings.
With two outs in the top of the fourth, Francisco Alvarez singled and Brett Baty doubled to put runners on second and third for Torrens. However, the catcher would strikeout, making the Mets 0 for their last 23 with runners in scoring position.
Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
A.J. Minter replaced Scott in the bottom of the fifth inning, where the left-hander allowed a solo home run to Matt Olson that extended the Braves’ lead to 4-2. Scott’s final line: 4 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 7 K.
Kodai Senga entered the game for a long relief appearance, replacing Minter in the bottom of the sixth. Senga worked a scoreless first inning of work, keeping the Braves’ lead at two runs.
After two innings of scoreless relief from Senga, the righty allowed a solo home run to Olson that extended the Braves’ lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the eighth. After allowing a two-out single, Joey Gerber relieved Senga. He would get out of the inning unscathed, giving the Mets’ offense one last chance.
Torrens singled with one out in the top of the ninth, advancing to second on defensive indifference. Back-to-back singles by Soto and Bichette brought the Mets back to within two, with the go-ahead run at the plate. Lindor grounded out, however, as the Mets fell to a season-worst 16 games below .500.
Player of the Night: Sydny Lopes Cabral
As the Mets lost their 52nd game of the season, a near miracle occurred in the World Cup in Miami. Cabo Verde, a country whose population is just over half a million people, took the reigning world champion Argentina squad to extra time. After Argentina took the lead, Sydny Lopes Cabral scored a magical goal from the left side of the pitch, just barely bending around the Argentinian keeper into the top right of the goal. Although Argentina would end up winning the match, every viewer witnessed a classic match, unlike what the Mets did in Atlanta.
Highlight of the goal is linked here.
On Deck
The Mets will resume action on Saturday at 8:08 p.m. EST in the next contest of the four-game set against the Braves. Sean Manaea will make the start, looking to give the Mets at least some form of length after Scott’s short outing. The game will stream live on FOX, with radio on WCBS 880 and the Audacy app.
