Mets Face Challenges After Loss to Braves

ATLANTA — DeDoniel Nunez was a key figure in the Mets’ bullpen for two seasons, but his comeback after Tommy John surgery has hit a few bumps. On Wednesday night, he struggled significantly during the seventh inning in a 6-3 defeat to the Braves at Trust Park, effectively ending the Mets’ series hopes.

Nunez stepped onto the mound already down a run but ended up allowing three runs, including two home runs, before securing just one out. This continues a pattern of unpredictability within the Mets’ bullpen, especially after recent trade deadline moves that saw players like Luke Weaver and AJ Minter depart. To complicate matters, Devin Williams is currently sidelined due to a shoulder strain.

The Mets had seen some promising moments earlier this week with solid performances in Cleveland and Pittsburgh, as well as an encouraging start at Trust Park. Fans hoped that their improving lineup could push for a third consecutive series win—but that didn’t pan out.

They had faced a shutout loss on Monday, and before that, another loss in Pittsburgh. During this trip, the Mets allowed an average of just over 8 points in their six wins. But on this particular night, it took until the ninth inning for them to finally get a runner in scoring position. Three solo home runs were a factor in the final score.

As for Zach Thornton, he delivered a solid outing, allowing three earned runs from seven hits and one walk across six innings. The rookie left-hander has maintained a 2.78 ERA and has completed at least six innings in five of his last seven starts.

In the second inning, with two outs, Thornton surrendered a home run to Lane Thomas, giving the Braves an early edge. Thomas hit a high cutter over the left field fence, marking the third home run hit off Thornton in his last four starts.

Thornton’s struggles continued in the third inning, where the Braves extended their lead to 2-0. After walking Ronald Acuña Jr. and a single by Drake Baldwin, a grounder by Matt Olson led to a double play.

Later, in the fifth inning, Jared Young hit a single, although Acuña’s attempt to convert it into a double was unsuccessful. This was the closest the Mets got to having a runner in scoring position until Carson Benge’s double in the ninth inning.

Acuña’s RBI single in the fifth inning pushed the Braves ahead 3-0, but things could have been worse for Thornton after he let two runners on base. Fortunately for the Mets, Acuña was thrown out trying to reach second on a hit from Francisco Lindor.

Luis Torrence’s solo home run in the sixth inning cut the Braves’ lead to 3-1. Torrence also hit two home runs last week against Cleveland and now has five homers this season.

The seventh inning saw Luis Robert Jr. hit another home run, which narrowed the score to 3-2. Nunez then came into the game, but things took a turn for the worse as he faced Mike Yastrzemski and Riley, both of whom hit back-to-back home runs, extending the Braves’ lead to 5-2.

Nunez then allowed another run after Acuña hit a double, followed by a single from Baldwin that brought another run home.

Ultimately, Bo Bichette hit the decisive home run in the ninth inning, sealing the Mets’ fate.