Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

It was quite the Saturday for the New York Mets (69-39), who defeated the Atlanta Braves (64-45) by a score of 6-2 in the nightcap of a doubleheader sweep. Max Scherzer shut down the Braves offense over seven superb innings, Pete Alonso tied the league lead for RBIs in a three-hit effort, and the Mets are 30 games over .500 for the first time since 2006.

Both starters were dealing early on, as Scherzer and Max Fried traded scoreless frames into the bottom of the third inning.

The Mets were the first to strike, starting with an RBI single from Alonso, who drove in the first run of the game in both games of Saturday’s doubleheader. His 93 RBIs have him tied with crosstown slugger Aaron Judge for the major league lead in the category.

Making his first start since being acquired by the Mets at the trade deadline, Darin Ruf followed up Alonso’s single by recording an RBI on a bases-loaded fielder’s choice. Ruf reached base on an errant throw from Dansby Swanson which brought in a third run, giving the Mets a 3-0 lead going into the fourth inning. Fried looked shaken up after an awkward fall on the play, but he stayed in the game.

Scherzer continued his dominance, striking out six batters through the first four innings. He really only ran into trouble in the fifth inning, allowing runners on the corners with one out. However, he escaped the jam with some help from Luis Guillorme, who made a terrific play in gunning out former Met Travis d’Arnaud at home on a fielder’s choice.

Fried’s infield defense let him down in the sixth inning, as a throwing error from Austin Riley allowed two runners to reach scoring position with no outs. Mark Canha was credited with an RBI on a play at the plate where Alonso was initially called out but then called safe following a challenge. That run pushed the Mets’ lead to 4-0 entering the seventh inning.

Scherzer did his best work in his final frame of the night, striking out the side in the seventh inning and tying a season high with 11 strikeouts. He did so on a season-high 108 pitches, and he has completed at least seven innings in six starts this year.

Mychal Givens was brought into the game in the eighth inning and immediately surrendered an RBI double to Ronald Acuña Jr. to cut the lead to 4-1. Givens got out of the inning without any further damage, but he has struggled immensely since being traded to the Mets, allowing six runs across just 2 2/3 innings of work.

The Mets scored an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth courtesy of Tyler Naquin, who contributed a pinch-hit RBI single. It was Naquin’s fourth RBI in eight games with the Mets, and he came around to score on a squeeze bunt from Tomás Nido to extend the lead to 6-1.

In the ninth inning, Trevor May made his second appearance in his return from the injured list. He allowed a solo home run to William Contreras, but he got the three outs he needed to close out the victory.

The Mets have an 11-3 record across seven doubleheaders played this season. Their division lead is up to 5.5 games over the Braves, and they are 7-4 in head-to-head matchups this year.

Player of the Game: Max Scherzer

Scherzer continues to defy logic and add to his legacy as one of the best pitchers in the history of the league. In fact, he moved into fourth place all-time in double-digit strikeout games with 109, passing Pedro Martinez and moving within one game of tying Roger Clemens with 110. His season ERA is down to a pristine 1.98 mark, and he continues to be worth every penny that the Mets paid for his services back in the offseason.

Final line for Scherzer: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 11 K

On Deck

The Mets will close out their five-game series against the Braves on Sunday afternoon at Citi Field. First pitch is set for 4:10pm ET, and the game will be broadcast on SNY. The Mets will have Jacob deGrom on the mound, while the Braves will run out Spencer Strider.