Mets Swept 5-3 Versus Atlanta, All But Ending Division Hopes

It was do or die time for the New York Mets (98-61) Sunday night at Truist Park. With their NL East chances hanging in the balance, New York faltered for the third-straight night. They lost to the Atlanta Braves (100-59), 5-3. In doing so, all but eliminating the chance of capturing a division title.

For the first time in the series, the Atlanta Braves struck first. In the first inning, Dansby Swanson hit a home run in his third-straight game. A solo shot gave the Braves an early 1-0 lead.

The Mets bounced back right away. Daniel Vogelbach stroked a solo shot to a similar place Swanson hit his. This was New York’s first extra-base hit of the series. It was tied up at one early.

New York hit another solo home run in the third inning. Jeff McNeil launched a shot that almost hit the Chop House in right field. The Mets were able to continue to pressure Charlie Morton and the Braves. Daniel Vogelbach tallied a single that found its way through the infield to register his second RBI of the game.

It appeared like it was going to be a much-needed big inning for the Mets in the second, though they only pushed across two runs and left two more on base. The pivotal play was a Mark Canha hit ball that was dribbled down the third-base line. Austin Riley, who was charging it quickly, made the last-second decision to let the ball pass and it went foul by inches. Instead of a potentially larger lead, New York led 3-1 after two-and-a-half innings.

The Braves answered right back. Atlanta was able to load the bases with two outs after having two on with no outs. Bassitt walked Matt Olson with the bases loaded after hitting Riley with a pitch. Travis d’Arnaud then laced a single up the middle after Bassitt had him behind in the count 0-2. Trevor May entered and got the final out of the inning. The Mets trailed 4-3 after three innings.

That spelled the end to Bassitt’s extremely short night. Much like Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer, Bassitt also came up short in the pivotal series. His final line: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO.

Matt Olson launched another solo home run in the sixth inning to extend the Braves’ lead to 5-3. The longball came off Seth Lugo.

The bullpens of each team stalemated the rest of the game. This resulting in a 5-3 Mets’ loss and three-game sweep. The worst-case scenario entering the series, a sweep, happened, and all but closed the book on he Mets’ chances to win the NL East.

In the game, New York out-hit the Braves 11-5. The Mets also left nine players on base and failed to take advantage of several terrific opportunities. Something their all but certain NL East division-winning peers did not. Simply put, the better team took what they deserved.

Player of the Game: Jeff McNeil

McNeil did what McNeil does, hit. He registered three hits, one of which was a solo home run. He has been the Mets’ most consistent offensive player all season long.

After the above mentioned 3-for-5 performance, it increased his batting average on the season to .326. Meanwhile, Freddie Freeman went 0-for-4 today lowering his NL East leading batting average to .327. McNeil has a real chance at winning a batting title.

On Deck

The Mets come home to Citi Field to finish their 2022 season with a three-game set with the Washington Nationals (55-104). Game one is slated for 7:10 P.M. ET and the projected pitching matchup is Cory Abott (5.11 ERA) versus Carlos Carrasco.