The New York Mets opened up their 10-game homestand with a disheartening 6-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Citi Field.
Jon Niese started for the Mets and delivered another solid performance holding the Braves to one run on four hits and three walks in his six innings of work, while striking out seven. He certainly pitched good enough to win, but the Mets offense couldn’t provide and run support tonight.
Carlos Torres pitched a clean seventh, but Gonzalez Germen saw his 9.1 inning scoreless streak come to an end as he was tagged for four runs in the eighth to put the Braves up 5-0. New Mets-killer Freddie Freeman hit a two-run blast in that frame. Jeurys Familia allowed another run score to score in the ninth.
Aaron Harang was the big story in this game, holding the Mets hitless for seven innings, walking six and striking out five. After throwing 121 pitches, he didn’t come out for the eighth and the Braves bullpen took over.
After 7.2 innings the Mets finally got their first hit when third baseman David Wright singled off Luis Avilan who came on to relieve Harang. That was the only hit in the game for the Mets.
This game was absolutely pitiful, and after a three-game sweep on the road, the Mets returned home and once again looked lethargic. Sooner or later they’ll start playing with a home-field advantage again right? Maybe they were shocked by losing popular teammate Ike Davis as Gary Cohen suggested? Who knows…
They’ll go out and try again on Saturday night at 7:10 PM as Bartolo Colon looks to rebound from his last start and put the Mets back on the plus side, He’ll be opposed by Ervin Santana for the Braves. Lets Go Mets!
