The Mets got three home runs to rally back from a 4-0 deficit to beat the Braves, 8-7, in the opener of a four-game series in Atlanta Monday night. After starting the year 0-5, the Mets have now won four of their last five games.
Brandon Nimmo broke out of his slump in a major way with a four-hit game, one that included two homers that both traveled over 400 feet. He hit a three-run homer in the fifth inning that tied the score at 4-4 and after the Braves went ahead in the sixth, Nimmo delivered a solo shot in the seventh to one again tie the game. Nimmo also had an RBI single in the eighth.
And if you thought Nimmo coming thru with two homers was a surprise, you might want to sit down before you read the next line. DJ Stewart got his first hit of the year, a two-run homer in the eighth to break the tie.
Julio Teheran made his first start as a Met and surprisingly was good for the first two innings. But reality set in for him in the third, as he gave up four runs before being pulled before completing the inning. The Mets’ bullpen had been heavily used in Cincinnati and it really didn’t need to be asked for 6.1 innings on Monday. But when you sign a stiff like Teheran, this is the result you’re pretty much guaranteed to get.
And while not using their three-best relievers, the Mets were able to close the door. Cole Sulser, called up earlier in the day to replace Yohan Ramirez, Jake Diekman and Jorge Lopez each gave up runs yet somehow the Mets prevailed, with Lopez getting the save thanks to two good defensive plays on well-struck balls by Tyrone Taylor and Starling Marte.
It goes mostly unnoticed due to all of the theatrics in the game but Brett Baty had three hits. Jeff McNeil got on base three times with a hit and two walks. That helped make up for Pete Alonso and Francisco Alvarez going a combined 0-9.
But the Mets got a win in Atlanta on a night where a has-been started. It was completely unexpected. Next up is Adrian Houser, who needs to go more than four innings. Don’t bet the mortgage on it, though.
Baty’s batting .333. I think I hear the chef in the stadium kitchen ordering some crow.
Always great to beat the Braves and I always hate to see d’Arnaud as he kills the Mets. Thought he would do it again tonight. Got to love Baty’s continued development both at the plate and at 3B. DJ with a bomb reminiscent of when he got here in 2023. Got to get Pete out of this funk. We go for the series split tomorrow. Going 2-2 would be a great outcome against this team.
Insanity
First strange move, that is, one I’d’ve never done, was with no outs, Acuña scoring from first on a double just ahead of the throw.
In other words, with just a slight variation, he could’ve been nailed at the plate for the first out
When you’re the strongest hitting team in baseball, possibly stronger than that Big Red Machine from the 1970s, you don’t need to take such chances;
Play it conservatively
Didn’t this superstar blow out his knee a few years back?
“Acuña felt discomfort the day after being involved in a rundown between second and third base during that Feb. 29 (2024) game. An MRI exam showed irritation around the meniscus and noted surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache confirmed this diagnosis after evaluating the superstar at his Los Angeles office.”
Wait, that’s the wrong quote – that’s from this year!
Knee discomfort from a ST rundown? What the flox is wrong with this guy?
Next point of disgust – Mendoza having to preserve his best reliever in order to not overuse him?
Is this dude kidding? Here’s another example of not playing it conservatively
I would have stuck Diaz down the Bravos’ throat – make them clearly understand that if Diaz is coming into the game, it’s all over, jack
Put fear in their hearts because, given that lineup, you need every edge you can get
Seems all pitchers are soft in this generation and can’t answer the bell. There was a stat about Clayton Kershaw having 25 complete games in his career and they contrasted it with Bob Gibson having 25 in one season. Gibson, Seaver, Carlton, Ryan and even Hershiser were the pitchers of my youth and they took the ball and pitched until the job was done. Goose Gossage pitched multiple innings multiple times a week during his career. So yes, Diaz should have come in and shut the door. I’ll gladly take the win, but am quite tired of the inability of relievers to throw more often and more innings than they do.
That being said, let’s take game two today.
The Mets haven’t had more than two players performing at the same time. Nimmo has started getting it going and Baty has been pretty darn good thus far but would be nice to see the Mets getting hits and production from the majority of our “star” players.