After being pummeled by the Braves 21-3 in Game One of Saturday’s doubleheader, Jose Quintana (0-3, 3.42 ERA) and the Mets looked to turn things around in game two. Quintana was opposed by Braves ace Spencer Strider (12-4, 3.80 ERA).

Game two was a pitcher’s dual as through four innings each team had collected just one hit. Brandon Nimmo represented the Mets’ first hit of the day, a lead-off single in the bottom of the first. Ozzie Albies represented the Braves’ first hit in the fourth on a one-out single to left field.

While the Mets had plenty of opportunities to strike, they failed to capitalize on their chances. They stranded a baserunner who singled in the first inning single, had two base runners in the bottom of the second on walks, and another baserunner in the third. In the top of the fourth Daniel Vogelbach walked, but was stranded as well, raking up the total runners left on base to five before the fifth inning.

Then, after failing to score in the first four innings, the Braves struck first in the top of the fifth. Marcell Ozuna hit a one-out double to get the Braves offense rolling, then two batters later, the former Met Kevin Pillar hit an RBI single to center field that scored Ozuna and put the Braves on top 1-0 in the fifth.

The Mets threatened again in the bottom of the fifth when Nimmo hit a two-out double, but Francisco Lindor left him stranded as the Mets continued to fail to take advantage of baserunners. After five innings, the Mets had stranded six base runners, a theme that has followed the team the whole series.

Matt Olson singled in the sixth for the Braves, but Quintana worked around the bases-loaded jam that resulted from Olsen’s single and two walks to get out of the inning without any runs coming across. After escaping the jam, the Mets brought Trevor Gott into the game. In total, Quintana had another great start for New York, striking out four batters while only allowing one run in six innings of work.

Only trailing by one run, the Mets called upon Drew Smith to pitch in the eighth in relief. Smith struggled again for New York, giving up three runs (two earned), as the Braves extended their lead to 4-0 in the eighth. With his poor outing, Smith has now given up three earned runs in his last 1 2/3 innings, which has raised his ERA to 4.38.

Nimmo walked again in the bottom of the eighth as he reached for the fourth time on Saturday evening to give the Mets a leadoff base runner. McNeil then doubled three batters later two put two on, but Francisco Alvarez grounded out to end the inning, continuing the Mets’ woes with runners on base.

Albies extended the Braves lead in the top of the ninth by clubbing his second home run of the day. Albies crushed the Mets all day, recording six RBI in game one and two RBI in game two.

The Braves never looked back on their lead as the Mets put one baserunner on in the ninth, but again failed to execute and score as the Braves went on to shutout the Mets for the second time in a day to sweep the doubleheader over the Mets.

Strider (13-4, 3.75 ERA) earned another win as Quintana (0-4, 3.03 ERA) gave up just one earned run, but took the loss as the Mets’ offense failed to support their starting pitching on Saturday.

Historic Funk

Not only are the Mets in danger of being swept in a four-game series at home by the Braves, but they are in the midst of their worst series in franchise history. According to Tim Britton of The Athletic, the Braves have outscored the Mets 34-3, which is the worst run differential over a three-game stretch in the Mets’ franchise history.

On Deck

The Mets (52-65) and Braves (75-41) conclude their series on Sunday night baseball at 7:10 PM. Yonny Chirinos (5-4, 4.83 ERA) takes the mound for the Braves against Kodai Senga (8-6, 3.24 ERA) for the Mets. The game will also be broadcasted on WCBS 880.