The New York Mets came back from a heartbreaking loss on Monday to beat the Atlanta Braves 4-1 and even up the series at a game apiece tonight at Citi Field.
Carlos Torres was impressive again in his second start for the Mets. After being greeted by a home run from Andrelton Simmons to leadoff the game, Torres settled into a groove and weaved in and out of trouble as he held the Braves scoreless through the end of the sixth inning. The righthander scattered seven hits and two walks while striking out six and lowered his ERA to 0.94 while notching his first win of the season.
The bullpen was outstanding tonight as David Aardsma, Scott Rice, LaTroy Hawkins combined for two scoreless innings. Bobby Parnell rebounded with a dominant 1-2-3 ninth inning to earn his 19th save of the season.
The Mets tied the score at 1-1 in the first when Torres helped his own cause with an RBI single to score Juan Lagares in the the third. In the sixth inning, Ike Davis put the Mets ahead with an RBI-double to drive home Marlon Byrd. John Buck would follow with an RBI-single and then a sac fly by Lagares would plate the Mets’ fourth run of the game. David Wright and Buck both had a pair of hits in the game.
It was great to see the Mets bounce back and win the game after a brutal loss last night. Greater still was seeing Parnell go out in the ninth and throw some heat and some strikes – a stark contrast from what we saw the last time he was on the mound.
RHP Jeremy Hefner (4-7, 3.93) will take the mound in the third game of the series tomorrow night at 7:10 PM. He will oppose RHP Tim Hudson (7-7, 4.08).
