NEW YORK (AP) — Rafael Ortega had two hits all the way through a six-run 5th inning Sunday night time, main New York to a 7-6 win over the primary league-best Atlanta Braves and fighting the Mets from falling into last place in the NL East.
The Mets, who had been outscored 34-3 in the first 3 video games of the collection and overcame a 3-0 deficit Sunday, remained a half-game forward of the Washington Nationals.
New York hasn’t been in the cellar this past due in a complete season since 2005. The Mets are 22 1/2 video games at the back of the Braves a yr after completing with 101 wins and in a tie atop the department with Atlanta, which received the head-to-head tiebreaker.
“To beat one of the best teams in baseball — we know they’re operating on all cylinders and giving you their best shot,” Mets supervisor Buck Showalter stated. “So anytime you can beat them, it’s hard.”
Ortega singled main off the 5th and hit a two-run unmarried to whole a rally that integrated 4 singles and 3 walks — two with the bases loaded — and a run-scoring catcher’s interference name on the Braves’ Sean Murphy.
“You get people on base, you always want to do more,” Showalter stated. “Everybody’s chasing swinging the bat and doing something. Sometimes, what you should be chasing — I’m not saying it’s a walk, it’s selectivity.”
Ortega completed with 3 hits, one shy of his profession excessive. Jeff McNeil had 3 singles, together with a run-scoring hit in the 3rd.
Kodai Senga (9-6) allowed 3 runs — all in the first by the use of Marcell Ozuna’s bases-clearing double — and whiffed seven in six innings.
The 30-year-old rookie right-hander is tied with Max Scherzer — who was once traded to the Texas Rangers on July 29 — for the crew lead in wins and is tops on the Mets in innings pitched and strikeouts.
“I feel good, I feel strong on the mound,” Senga stated via an interpreter. “I think I can get through the season on a high note. On-field care, off-field care, I think I’m doing what I can to maintain my high performance on the field.”
Murphy led off the 7th with a homer and Matt Olson pulled the Braves inside of a run along with his primary league-leading forty third homer, a two-run shot, in the 8th. Atlanta leads the majors with 227 homers.
“Even when we got down, I felt good,” supervisor Brian Snitker stated of the Braves, who have 31 comeback wins this season. “But we can’t walk that many guys like that. The guys kept fighting and we gave ourselves a chance to win.”
Drew Smith retired Murphy, the possible go-ahead run, for the ultimate out of the 8th and Adam Ottavino notched his 7th save with a easiest 9th.
Yonny Chirinos (5-5) gave up six runs in 4 2/3 innings.
THE DEFENSE DIDN’T REST
The Mets made a number of spectacular performs in the box. Shortstop Francisco Lindor ranged neatly into the hollow to snare a grounder by means of Ozuna earlier than throwing him out with a bounce throw in the fourth. Brandon Nimmo, enjoying left box for the 2d time in the last two seasons, reached to rob Austin Riley of additional bases in the 6th. Pete Alonso then ended the inning with a diving forestall of a grounder by means of Eddie Rosario.
BOUNTFUL BRAVES
The loss Sunday was once the 3rd in the Braves’ last 17 video games towards the Mets — a span through which Atlanta has outscored New York 124-61. The Braves lead the NL East by means of 11 video games over Philadelphia.
ONLY ONE BOROUGH IN LAST
The Mets’ win ensured each New York groups would now not be in last place this past due in a complete season for the first time. The Yankees are 60-58, two video games at the back of the fourth-place Red Sox in the AL East.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Braves: 2B Ozzie Albies left in the 8th inning due to cramping. … Murphy was once hit by means of Vientos’ again swing in the 7th inning. He visited with a instructor for a couple of minutes however stayed in the sport in spite of struggling a reduce on his head, most likely from the Pitchcom instrument. … RHP Kyle Wright (shoulder irritation), who received a primary league-leading 21 video games last season however has been restricted to 5 begins this yr, has begun ramping up his process at the membership’s spring coaching complicated in Florida.
Mets: Showalter stated RF Starling Marte (appropriate groin pressure) is “progressing, little by little.” Marte is eligible to come off the injured record Wednesday however is not likely to go back then and would possibly want a rehab stint.
UP NEXT
Braves: LHP Max Fried (3-1, 2.50 ERA) takes the mound as Atlanta returns house Monday from a season-high 11-game shuttle to start a three-game set towards the Yankees. Fried will likely be making his 3rd get started following a just about three-month keep on the injured record with a forearm pressure.
Mets: A ten-game homestand continues Monday when RHP Carlos Carrasco (3-6, 6.42) opens a three-game collection towards Pittsburgh.