Braves 21 Mets 3 (Citi Field, Flushing, NY)
Game 116 of 162
Game 1 of Double Header
Mets record: 52-64
Mets streak: Lost 2
WP - Allan Winas (1-0)
LP - Denyi Reyes (0-2)
Seat on the Korner: Ozzie Albies
We select the star of the game and virtually invite him to a Seat on the Korner, just as Ralph Kiner used to do for his studio postgame show on WOR-channel 9 broadcasts in the early decades of the Mets.
The chair easily could have went to Allan Winans for his seven shutout innings or Matt Olson's 2 home run 4 RBI Day or Nicky Lopez's 4 for 6, 5 RBI day, but Ozzie Albies 3 for 6, 6 RBI day gets him the nod.
Need to Know
Denyi Reyes got the start in game 1 of the doubleheader. It was his seventh appearances this season with the Mets, Reyes began the season in the bullpen and did not allow a run over five appearances (6.1 IP)...Reyes' previous start of the season came on May 1 vs. Atlanta at Citi Field in game one of a doubleheader...The right-hander allowed five runs over 1.0 inning in a 9-8 Mets loss, though he lasted longer in this outing he did not fare much better giving up 5 runs in 4 and two thirds innings of work, pushing his ERA to 7.50.
The Mets starting lineup featured 5 players who were not on the opening day roster : Ortega, Vientos, Almonte, Stewart, and Arauz.
Perhaps sensing that the starting lineup would struggle to score runs Buck Showalter had the infield play in with a runner on third with 1 out.
Recognizing the lack of depth the Mets Lineup, Brian Snitker elected to intentionally walk Pete Alonzo with 2 outs and a runner on second, It was only the third first inning intentional walk of a batter in all of baseball this season, it worked out as after hitting Daniel Vogelbach with a pitch to load the bases Allan Winans struck out Abraham Almonte.
With the win today in game 1 of the double header it keeps the Braves streak alive as the worst they can do is split this series. They have not lost a series to an N.L. East opponent this season, going 8-0-1 in divisional sets.The Braves split four games with the Phillies, May 25-28.
Atlanta is now 7-1 in eight games against the Mets this season,...The Braves have won 13 of the last 15 games with New York dating to last season, outscoring the Mets 112-54 (+58) over that stretch.
Daniel Vogelbach snapped an 18 inning scoreless streak with a 3 run home run in the bottom of the eighth.
Turning Point
The turning point came early, The Braves jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, in the bottom of the 1st, Rafael Ortega lead off with a walk, Buck Showalter sensing he would need to manufacture runs, put a hit an run play on with one out, Jeff McNeil grounded to short but with Ortega in motion could only get the out at first, Brian Snitker elected to intentionally walk Pete Alonso, Daniel Vogelbach then got hit by a pitch loading the base bringing up Abraham Almonte with the bases loaded. Almonte Struck out stranding 3 runners.
Three Keys
Hit and Run
The Braves were aggressive on the base paths and took several extra bases off the arm of Abraham Almonte. Atlanta also ran on Omar Narvaez at will and were 3 for 3 in stolen base attempts. The Braves had 3 innings of 3 or more runs, 5 home runs , 21 hits and 21 runs.
and...
and....
All They Do is WIN WIN WINANS...
Of course Allan Winans was property of the Mets as he was originally the New York Mets' in the 17th-round pick (500) in 2018 out of Campbell University, NC. The Braves picked him up as a rule IV draft pick and after making his first Major League start on July 22nd, He recorded his first major league win. Winans pitched a gem going 7 scattering 4 hits, 2 walks and striking out 9, lowering his ERA to 1.59.
Dan the Man
Danny Mendick made his second relief appearance this month, this time going an inning and third giving up 8 runs on 8 hits leaving him with and ERA of 36.00 on the season, no immediate word on his availability to pitch in game two of the doubleheader.