The New York Mets (76-67) defeated the Atlanta Braves (55-88) by a score of 10-3 at Citi Field Sunday afternoon. The Mets will temporarily tie the Cardinals for the second wild-card spot. The outcome of that game is yet to be decided.
Pitching:
Seth Lugo was on the mound for the Mets today and he was very effective once again. Lugo went seven innings giving up one run while walking one and striking out five.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Seth Lugo ran into a bit of trouble. Adonis Garcia doubled to start things off for the Braves. Freddie Freeman, Matt Kemp, and Nick Markakis would all follow with singles to bring in a run and keep the bases loaded with nobody out.
Lugo would bear down though and get Anthony Recker to pop out and Dansby Swanson to ground into a double play to get out of the inning only allowing one run.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Brandon Snyder hit a solo home run to cut the score to 10-2. That would be it for any damage against Lugo on the day.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Sean Gilmartin came in for the Mets in mop-up duty and was able to pitch a scoreless inning.
In the bottom of the ninth, Logan Verrett came in to try to close out the game for the Mets and he was terrible.
Verrett gave up a double, a walk, and two singles before finally being removed in favor of Josh Edgin. Edgin was able to get out of the jam and secure the win for the Mets
Offense:
The Mets got things started right away today in the top of the first inning. With one out, Asdrubal Cabrera hit a triple on a ball that was deflected off right fielder Nick Markakis. Cabrera would come home on a ground out from Yoenis Cespedes making the score 1-0.
In the top of the third inning, Seth Lugo got on base by coaxing a walk with one out. Jose Reyes then singled to right field to put runners on first and second base.
Asdrubal Cabrera followed with a single as well to load the bases for Yoenis Cespedes. Cespedes took full advantage by crushing a grand slam, his 30th home run of the year, making the score 5-0.
In the top of the fourth inning, James Loney tacked on by hitting his 7th home run of the year making the score 6-0.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Mets offense got right back to it. Asdrubal Cabrera lead-off the inning with a single. Yoenis Cespedes followed with a walk to put two runners on for the Mets.
After Curtis Granderson grounded into a force out, Kelly Johnson singled to right field to bring home Cabrera and make the score 7-1. Alejandro De Aza followed with a single of his own making the score 8-1.
The Mets weren’t done yet as James Loney doubled on a line drive to right field to make the score 9-1. Jed Bradley intentionally walked Rene Rivera to get to Seth Lugo but Lugo was able to hit a long sacrifice fly to bring home Alejandro De Aza and make the score 10-1.
Notes:
Wilmer Flores was out of the lineup today as he was sore from the collision at home plate last night.
This was the final game the Mets will ever play at Turner Field.
Gavin Cecchini made his debut, a pinch-hit appearance in the ninth and struck out.
JZ Player of the game: Yoenis Cespedes. Lugo was a worthy candidate once again but Cespedes drove in 5 runs today.
On Deck:
The Mets will play their first game of a three-game set with the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park tomorrow evening. The game has a start time of 7:05 PM. Rafael Montero (0-0, 4.63 ERA), will look to keep the Mets rolling. The Washington Nationals starting pitcher has yet to be announced.
