The Mets (33-29) defeated the Atlanta Braves (29-32) by a score of 5-3 tonight at Citi Field.
Wilmer Flores gave the Mets an early lead, hitting his tenth home run of the season batting out of the cleanup spot in the second inning.
In the fourth inning, John Mayberry played a little long ball himself, taking Alex Wood deep for a two-run home run after Wilmer Flores drew a walk. Wood had allowed two home runs all season before matching that total tonight.
Bartolo Colon got himself into immediate trouble in the fifth inning, surrendering three straight singles to start the frame. He managed to get his opposition Alex Wood to ground out to Wilmer Flores, who bobbled the ball, but got the force out at second, allowing Wood to reach first safe and forcing in a run.
The next batter, Jace Peterson, doubled to cut the Mets lead to 3-2, and putting runners at the corners with only one out.
Colon got Cameron Maybin to strike out, and then intentionally walked Freddie Freeman to load the bases, choosing to face Nick Markakis instead.
On a 2-0 count, Markakis hit a comebacker to Colon, who tossed it over to first to end the inning and get himself out of the jam.
In the sixth inning, the first batter to face Colon was Juan Uribe, who hit a rocket to right center field which just missed clearing the wall for a home run. He did end up with a double, but Colon buckled down, getting A.J. Pierzynski to pop out, and Jonny Gomes to strike out.
He then intentionally walked Andrelton Simmons to pitch to Alex Wood.
Wood dropped down a bunt, which just managed to roll foul, which was a huge sigh of relief. Colon then got him to ground out and end the inning.
In the bottom half of the sixth, John Mayberry lead off the inning with a single. Dilson Herrera then drew a walk, working his way back from an 0-2 count.
With Eric Campbell up next, Alex Wood attempted to pick off Mayberry at second, but threw it wildly into the outfield, advancing the runners to second and third with one out.
Campbell was able to drive in the run from third with a groundout after a long battle, and gave the Mets a 4-2 cushion.
Alex Torres replaced Colon in the seventh inning, and loaded the bases, letting up a single to Jace Peterson and walking Cameron Maybin and Freddie Freeman.
Torres thankfully got Nick Markakis to ground into a huge double play, even though the Mets conceded a run on the play.
Carlos Torres then came in to finish off the inning, getting Juan Uribe to ground out.
Darrell Ceciliani, who replaced John Mayberry in a double switch, lead off the seventh and drilled a single to left field. He then stole second, and advanced to third on a fly out.
Michael Cuddyer then doubled to score Ceciliani. Cuddyer seems to be progressing towards the player the Mets brass hoped they were getting when they signed him this offseason. If the Mets are going to have any success this year, they are going to need production from Cuddyer, and he is showing it as of late.
Carlos Torres set the side down in order in the eighth, and handed the ball of to Jeurys Familia in the ninth.
Familia, who is expecting a child, was available to pitch tonight, and was amped up. Unfortunately, his command struggled, as he loaded the bases after setting down the lead off hitter in the inning.
Nick Markakis then came up with the tying and go ahead runs on base, and the third time on the evening that he was hitting with the bases loaded, and Familia induced a tailor made 4-6-3 double play to seal the win for the Mets, and earn his 18th save of the campaign.
Boy, it always feels good to beat the Braves! Also, Colon is now tied for the major league lead in wins with Felix Hernandez and Gerrit Cole. 🙂
Game ball:
John Mayberry gets the ball tonight, as he hit a big two-run home run, and scored a run later in the game to add to the Mets lead.
On deck:
The Mets will look for the series victory tomorrow, as Jacob deGrom (7-4, 2.42 ERA) takes on Shelby Miller (5-2, 1.84 ERA). First pitch is at 4:10 PM.
