Braves vs. Mets Recap
ATLANTA — After a tough loss the previous night, the Mets began their Sunday game in a bit of a mess, with their ace pitcher not quite in form.
However, the expected long day for Nolan McLean and the Mets didn’t quite unfold as anticipated. The rookie right-hander found his rhythm, leading the team to a 10-9 win over the Braves.
Interestingly, all of the Mets’ victories on the road have come in games where McLean was the starter, making him a standout in a generally underperforming rotation.
In the first inning, McLean gave up three runs (one earned), though he managed to hold the Braves scoreless until the fifth. Overall, he allowed five hits, walked one, and struck out five batters.
This win marked the Mets’ third victory in their last 15 games. They’ll aim for a series split on Monday before heading home as the All-Star break approaches.
The Mets (37-53) have had a mixed bag against opponents but are even at 3-3 against the NL East-leading Braves.
The Mets jumped ahead in the first inning thanks to Bo Bichette’s RBI single, following a fielding error by Austin Riley and a single from Juan Soto, who later got thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double.
McLean initially struggled, allowing four hits and misplacing a pickoff throw that led to an unearned run. Michael Harris II contributed with a two-run single, and Mauricio Dubon’s RBI single made it 3-1 for the Braves. AJ Ewing smacked a home run in the second inning against left-hander Martin Perez, igniting a rally that saw the Mets tie the game at 3-3.
In the fifth inning, a fielding error by Vientos allowed the Braves to regain the lead, but McLean settled down, recording three quick outs afterward.
Tyron Taylor launched a home run in the ninth, pushing the Mets to a 6-3 lead for the second consecutive game, taking a shot against former Met Carlos Carrasco. As the inning progressed, Bichette and Jared Young added two-run doubles, ballooning the lead to 10-3.
In a chaotic ninth, Huascar Brazoban was ejected after recording just one out, and the Braves capitalized, scoring five runs, highlighted by Baldwin’s grand slam. Devin Williams then came in to secure the save, striking out Dominick Smith and ending the game as the Mets held on to their lead.
