The New York Mets (8-7) defeated the Atlanta Braves (4-12) by a score of 6-3 in the opener of a three game set at Turner Field Friday night. The Mets got off to a quick start with a grand slam from Curtis Granderson and Matt Harvey did just enough to battle through five innings and turn it over to the bullpen and preserve the win.
Pitching:
Matt Harvey Day? Mets fans have been waiting for their ace to return to form but it would not happen on this night. Harvey did capture his first win of the season but labored through 5 innings of work. Harvey gave up two runs, walked one, and struck out five. There were some positives tonight as Harvey kept his walks down and did flash 95 and 96 MPH on the gun with regularity. Harvey just couldn’t put hitters away as his control seemed off for most of the night.
Antonio Bastardo did great job shutting the Braves down in the sixth inning and came out for a second inning of work in the seventh. After making quick work of the first two batters, Daniel Castro would get on a base with a bunt single. Freddie Freeman, who has been owned by Bastardo for his career, would finally get his first hit against him on his twentieth plate appearance. Jim Henderson was brought in and gave up a hit to Adonis Garcia to let the inherited run come home. Collins went straight to Jerry Blevins who cleaned up the mess by striking out A.J. Pierzynski to retire the side.
After a lengthy rain delay, Addison Reed looked dominant in the eighth having to record four outs after an error from Asdrubal Cabrera put a runner on base to start the frame on what should have been an easy ground out.
Jeurys Familia would come on in the ninth to shut the door for his fourth straight save.
@cgrand3 is full of nothing but danger tonight #Metshttps://t.co/ZFVHISVPXf
— New York Mets (@Mets) April 23, 2016
Offense:
Curtis Granderson blasted a GRANDY SLAM in the top of the second inning to put the Mets out in front for good. Granderson was not finished there as he crushed his second home run of the night in the top of the fourth. Granderson went 3-5 with 5 RBIs on the night and has been red hot over his last few games.
In the top of the 7th, David Wright would get things started with a line drive double to right fielder Nick Markakis. Yeonis Cespedes would bring him home with a double of his own off the left field wall. Cespedes appeared to be in pain as he slid into second base in what looked like an aggravation of his thigh bruise he suffered from diving into the stands last week.
Notes:
Michael Conforto scalded the ball in four of his five at-bats even though he only had one hit to show for it. Yoenis Cespedes was removed from the game after the rain delay as his leg stiffened up on him.
On Deck:
The Mets continue their series with the Atlanta Braves tomorrow night with a start time of 7:10 PM. Steven Matz (1-1, 7.27 ERA) looks to follow his prior stellar outing against the Cleveland Indians with another solid start. He will face Atlanta Braves youngster Jhoulys Chacin (0-0, 2.38 ERA).
