The New York Mets (36-31) were defeated by the Atlanta Braves (22-46) by a score of 4-3 tonight at Citi Field to fall 6.5 games back behind the division-leading Washington Nationals.
Pitching:
Steven Matz got the start for the Mets tonight, and pitched well, going six innings, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out seven. However, Matz would end up with a no-decision.
Jim Henderson then relieved Matz and pitched a third of an inning, allowing one run, as the game was now tied up at three a piece.
Jerry Blevins kept the Braves at bay getting the last two outs in the seventh, but Addison Reed allowed the Braves to take the lead in the eighth inning on a wild pitch allowing Ender Inciarte to score the winning run.
Offense:
Yoenis Cespedes launched his 17th big fly of the year in the third inning to give the Mets an early 1-0 lead. Wilmer Flores then played a little bit of long ball himself, launching a solo shot in the fourth.
Rene Rivera gave the Mets a 3-0 lead at the time with a sacrifice fly in the fourth. Braves pitching stymied the Mets after that until a dramatic and gut-wrenching bottom of the ninth.
With Flores on base on an error, James Loney drove a double to the wall in left-center, but Flores was thrown out at the plate thanks to a perfect relay throw home. It was a crushing blow as Curtis Granderson would end the game on a called strike three, stranding two runners including the tying run at third.
On Deck:
Jacob deGrom (3-3, 2.82 ERA) gets the nod tomorrow afternoon, and will be opposed by Julio Teheran (2-7, 2.93 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 PM.
