Bichette Leads Mets to Victory Over Braves

Bo Bichette might have hinted at his potential while talking to the Post before Friday’s game.

“I think my season could really take off within a week,” Bichette said. “But I also believe he’s developed enough that in a few months he’ll be thinking, ‘Wow, he’s really where he wants to be.’

And he’s off to a promising start.

Thanks to Bichette’s two home runs, including a grand slam, the Mets triumphed over the Braves 7-5 at Citi Field, marking their second consecutive victory.

This power surge propelled Bichette, who began the game with a .607 OPS, to hit three home runs in just his last two games. His six RBIs matched a personal best. This is exactly what the Mets envisioned when they signed him to a three-year, $126 million contract last winter.

Bichette’s performance energized the Mets, especially on a night when Nolan McLean struggled, pitching only four innings due to a scuffle and high pitch count. He allowed two earned runs on three hits and four walks while striking out six before getting ejected after 93 pitches.

Juan Soto, who hit the game-winning homer on Wednesday against the Cardinals, also contributed significantly this night.

“I keep waiting, and we all keep waiting,” coach Carlos Mendoza remarked about Bichette. “There’s definitely a sign that he should utilize the entire field more. [On Thursday], when he homered to the pull side, it showed he can hit to the opposite field as well. He’s hitting the ball hard and has the potential to really excel.”

Bichette and Soto hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning, giving the Mets an early 2-0 lead. Soto, who recently won the Silver Bat Award, launched his team-leading 15th home run after Bichette connected with one to left field.

However, McLean struggled as he needed 42 pitches to finish the second inning. The Braves sent eight batters to plate, scoring two runs helped by three walks.

Ozzie Albies led off with a walk. After an error on McLean’s pickoff attempt put Jared Young on second, Dominique Smith’s RBI single gave the Braves a 2-1 edge. Austin Riley followed with a walk, and Mike Yastrzemski’s RBI hit tied the game at 2-2. McLean then walked Kim Ha-seong, loading the bases, but managed to get three outs without further damage.

Bichette’s grand slam later in the inning gave the Mets a commanding 6-2 lead. Following a rally initiated by MJ Melendez’s double, Luis Torrence’s single, and Carson Benge loading the bases, Bichette’s fly ball found its way just over the wall.

In the fourth, Bichette’s sacrifice fly widened the Mets’ lead to 7-2. Earlier, Melendez had walked, and Torrence contributed with a single.

McLean’s outing took a downturn after showing promise in his previous start, where he pitched a season-high 101 pitches against the Padres, allowing just one unearned run over six innings.

Meanwhile, Matt Olson launched a home run in the fifth inning for the Braves, bringing them to three runs.

In the eighth inning, Brooks Lally allowed two runs, narrowing the Mets’ lead to 7-5, and Devin Williams faced a challenge when Rowdy Tellez got a tying hit for the final out.

Ultimately, Williams managed to pitch a scoreless ninth, securing his second save in recent games.