The Mets and Braves had a see-saw battle at Truist Park that ended with a bang-bang infield single off the bat of All-Star Freddie Freeman to drive in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth, resulting in a 4-3 Braves triumph.
Mets starter Jacob deGrom showed he was human after all, at least for an inning and two batters. Staked to a 1-0 lead after the top of the first, deGrom was treated harshly by the Braves at the outset. Ehire Adrianza led off with a triple that was originally ruled out at third but was overturned by challenge. Ozzie Albies knocked an RBI single, and Austin Riley clubbed a two-run homer to right to give the Braves a 3-1 lead.
In the second deGrom was shaky to start, he allowed the first two batters to reach, putting Braves on first and third with no outs. deGrom then kicked it into gear and escaped the inning with no more damage. The rest of the game was vintage deGrom with the last 18 batters he faced retired. The score had been narrowed to 3-2 after Dom Smith blasted a solo homer in the top of the 7th.
The Braves loaded the bags in the 8th but could not put the insurance run across against Trevor May. That loomed large in the top of the ninth when Smith had his second homer of the game to tie the score.
Seth Lugo came on in relief in the bottom of the ninth and got in trouble right away. Guillermo Heredia hit a little tapper that Lugo fielded but in the process lost his footing in a cartoon-like pratfall. Lugo then made an ill-advised throw to first that Alonso had no chance to catch, putting the runner on second. With two outs pinch hitter Ronald Acuna Jr. was intentionally walked. Ender Inciarte worked the count to draw a walk, loading the bases, and bringing up Met killer Freddie Freeman.
Freeman hit the ball hard up the middle, and it rebounded off Lugo toward third baseman Luis Guillorme. Gullorme picked it and fired it to first but Freeman barely beat it out for the game-winning hit. Not to second-guess, but Guillorme might have been able to get the force at third had he dove for the bag instead of throwing across the diamond.
Starter Ian Anderson pitched well for the Braves in a no-decision, but deGrom was awesome after his rocky start. He pitched seven innings and struck out 14 with no walks. His ERA rose but is still a microscopic 0.95.
One might figure that a game that featured two Smith homers and a quality start from deGrom would likely translate to a Mets victory, but it instead turned into a disappointing loss.
Gut Reaction: FFF
Lugo should’ve not made the throw. Alsono should’ve gotten a hit in the 8th with men 2nd and 3rd. But they didn’t that and therefore they left the game in the hands of FFF.
The last 16 games were played in their division. They could’ve increased their first place lead. Instead they went in the opposite direction and went 6-10. It was a lost opportunity. The injuries and lack of run production is taking it’s toll. Yet they’re in first place for the last two months . That is some accomplishment.
Unless the Mets start hitting something close to what they are capable of, they will fall in the division:
The Braves are a better team, even with their pitching injuries. Freeman, Acuna, and Albies are just a better trio than what the Mets put in their lineup.
The Phillies are a better team if they can get Didi, Segura, and Harper back to full health, even with the terrible bullpen.
The Nats are a better team with some great chemistry. They just love to play the Mets and do not fear them one bit.
Even the Marlins enjoy playing the Mets, playing the games close and getting clutch hits in the late innings.
At some point, Luis Rojas has to account for his team’s woes. An important decision awaits regarding Jeff NcNeil.
This loss was infuriating. Lady Luck was on the Braves side all night. Every close call, lucky bounce and barely fair ball went their way.
FFF? What does that third F stand for?
Say what you will about Met Killer FFF, but at least he’s nothing close to obnoxious. I’d gladly welcome him to any team for whom/which I cheer.
According to BR, per 162 games, he yields 98 R, 39 2B, 28 HR, 99 RBI with a .293 AVG and 137 OPS+. Most impressive
Is he related to Morgan?
I realize that I’m not the Mets BB expert like most of yous, but at least I inject some alleged humor into this here discussion