The Mets were swept by the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night, losing in extra innings after the bullpen couldn’t secure a late-game lead, despite the offense putting up 10 runs.
Here are the takeaways…
– Up 10-9 heading into the ninth inning, David Robertsonthe Mets’ top reliever this season, took the lead of a Orlando Arcia solo homer that tied the game at 10 points apiece.
That paved the way for the Braves to win it in the bottom of the 10th inning after Ozzie Albies cracked a three point laser Tommy Hunter who hadn’t pitched since May 28.
– The loss meant it was the first time in Mets franchise history that New York had lost three straight games despite leading by at least three points in all three games. The Mets have lost six straight games, their longest losing streak since August 2019.
– New York’s offense broke big against the starting pitcher Spencer Strider for eight runs in his four innings of work. Going into the game, Strider boasted a 5.03 ERA in seven games (five starts) against the Mets, his highest ERA against any team he has faced more than twice.
Brandon Nimmo had Strider’s biggest blow with a grand slam in the second set that gave New York the lead after Justin Verlander allowed three runs in the first inning.
Francisco Alvarezsecond at bat and DHing for the first time this season, hit two home runs, a two-run bomb in the fourth against Strider and a solo shot in the sixth against the Braves reliever Michael Tonkin. It was the second multi-home run game of the rookie career and it gave him 11 for the season – the most by a 21-year-old receiver since Gary Carter reached 17 in 1975.
Starling Marte (3 for 5), Brett Baty (2 for 4) and Tommy Pham (1 for 4) also scored hits, as New York had 14 hits on the night.
– As mentioned earlier, Verlander gave up three runs in the first inning – two by austin rileyon the two-run homer from and one on a field error from Marte. But after being bailed out by his second set attack, Verlander continued to struggle.
The 40-year-old gave up two more runs in the third by walking four in the inning (including one that forced a run) surrounded by an RBI single from the start of Orlando Arcia and was finished after three innings and 82 pitches (45 strikes).
Verlander’s last line: 3 IP, seven hits, five runs (four earned), four walks, three strikeouts. Not exactly what the Mets had in mind.
– Mets midfield relief was good, but not great. Stephen Nogosek went 1.1 innings and allowed one run on four hits, Jeff Brigham pitched an inning and gave up a run as Brooks Raley pitched the best of his relief inning, although he allowed two hits.
– Healing a three-point lead in the eighth inning, Drew Smithwho got the last two out in the seventh on a double play on the first pitch he threw at Ronald Acuna Jr. got the first out in the eighth, but gave up a single to Riley before the former Met Travis d’Arnaud burned his old team and homered to cut New York’s lead to 10-9.
– The two teams combined for 23 runs on 33 hits.
Strong points
And after
The Mets continue their six-game road trip as they travel to Pittsburgh to begin a three-game series with the Pirates starting Friday at 7:05 p.m. on SNY
HPR Tylor Megill (5-3, 4.40 ERA) will face former Met LHP rich hill (5-5, 4.41 ERA).