The New York Mets (54-53) rebounded from Monday’s loss, beating the Atlanta Braves 3-2 at Turner Field.
The win puts the Mets 6 1/2 behind the Atlanta Braves in the National League East. The Mets are now 21-34 on the road.
The Philadelphia Phillies beat the Florida Marlins 6-1, placing the Mets in a third-place tie with Florida and trimming the Braves lead to two games over the Phillies.
New York Mets @ Atlanta Braves … recap and boxscore
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Post Game Notes:
Jeff Francoeur delivered a solo home run off former Met Billy Wagner in the ninth inning, giving the Mets a 3-2 lead. Francoeur scored two runs, and more impressively, walked on four pitches in the seventh inning.
Chris Carter tied the game in the seventh inning with a pinch-hit single, scoring Francoeur. Carter has two pinch hits in the first two games of the series.
David Wright went 0-for-4. He is hitting .089 in 34 at-bats with no homers and three RBIs against Atlanta this season.
R.A. Dickey (7-4, 2.36) pitched six innings, allowing two runs and five hits (103 pitches/64 strikes).
Manny Acosta pitched 1 2/3 of scoreless relief, wallking two and collecting the win. He is now 2-1.
Francisco Rodriguez picked up his 23rd save, throwing a perfect ninth inning.
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Post Game Quotes:
R.A. Dickey (on Mets win): “We needed it badly. There needs to be a sense of urgency in what we do.”
Jeff Francoeur (on home run): “Usually I can hide my emotions pretty good when I’m out there, but that one I had to let out a little smile, and the guys in the dugout pounded me pretty good. That was exciting, especially in this kind of series, not just because it’s my former team, but they’re ahead of us and we lost last night. We haven’t exactly been great in these kind of games.”
Jeff Francoeur (on helping the team): “It’s been a tough 2½ weeks. To be able to do something like that felt really good, to help the team out. I kind of feel like I haven’t exactly been helping the team out besides that one home run versus the Cardinals. The second half I’ve pretty much done nothing. Hopefully I can kind of get going, because I know with Jason [Bay] out this team needs me to step up and be that right-handed bat.”
Jerry Manuel (on Francoeur): “He’s our guy. We’ve just got to be patient with him. He’s a big part of the chemistry and the energy of the team. And he brings a lot of things. Tonight he brought his bat, which was good.”
Luis Castillo (before two-hit night): “I have to play better. I feel bad, because I know I can do a better job than what I’m doing. Sometimes, you try so hard and you try everything you can, and nothing good happens. But I’m still going to work hard.”
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