Mets Struggle Again Against Braves
Typically, the Mets brace themselves for a tough series against the Braves later in the season. But this time, Atlanta’s dominance came early, causing another blow to the Mets on Tuesday night.
It marked their 10th loss in 11 games, and, well, it was a rough night at Citi Field.
When teams are struggling as much as the Mets lately, they find new ways to disappoint. This game was no different.
Frankie Montas made his debut for the Mets after a shaky start to the season, delivering five solid scoreless innings. That’s something, at least.
The lineup, which has been stuck in a slump, managed to produce a couple of key hits. Brett Batty came through with a two-run single in the fourth, putting the Mets ahead 3-0.
Unfortunately, that momentary spark didn’t last. The Mets struggled overall, with just 14 runs across their last eight games.
As for the ninth inning? Not much to write home about. Francisco Lindor had a chance but couldn’t capitalize, ending the rally.
The bullpen, notorious for giving up runs, was shaky again this month, which didn’t help the Mets’ cause.
After Montas’s exit, Haskar Brazovan took the mound and unfortunately walked the first three batters he faced. He then allowed a sacrifice fly that narrowed the score to 3-1.
Jose Castillo followed but didn’t fare any better, yielding a hit with a run-scoring single.
The normally reliable Reid Garrett also struggled, allowing more runs and ultimately giving Atlanta an upper hand.
By the eighth inning, the Braves had put the game firmly in their control, further overshadowing Montas’s solid start.
Granted, Montas wasn’t perfect, allowing three hits and three walks, but he did keep the Mets in a position to at least compete against Spencer Strider early on.
The first few innings looked promising for the Mets. After loading the bases, Jeff McNeill’s sacrifice fly gave them a 1-0 lead. Then, another walk by Lewis Torrens set up Batty’s two-run hit, giving them a 3-0 advantage.
But that was about it for the Mets. They didn’t score again until the ninth, trying to rally but falling short once more.
The only silver lining? The Mets only have two more games against the Braves before facing the Pirates in Pittsburgh on Friday.
