Atlanta Braves fend off comeback attempt, best Harvey in win
By Scott Ferris
For the second game in a row, Braves pitching allowed the Mets to score seven earned runs. On Tuesday, though, the offense had an answer.
After dropping the first of a three-game set, the Atlanta Braves called on knuckler R.A. Dickey to take the hill in Tuesday’s tilt against Matt Harvey and the Mets.
Despite featuring a starting pitching matchup between former all-stars, the game quickly turned into a battle of the bats.
In the top of the first, Mets right fielder Jay Bruce took advantage of a fastball up and over the plate, depositing it beyond the right field wall for a two-run shot.
In the bottom of the inning, Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman responded with his own two-run bomb to right to tie the game.
In the bottom of the second, Ender Inciarte doubled home Kurt Suzuki to give Atlanta a one-run lead. The lead wouldn’t last, though, as Asdrubal Cabrera launched a solo home run in the top of the third to again tie the game.
After trading runs for three innings, the Braves finally broke the game open a bit in the bottom of the fourth. Harvey began the frame by loading the bases on a single, hit by pitch, and walk. Unfortunately for Atlanta, this brought Dickey to the plate with the bases loaded. Fortunately, he avoided a strikeout or double play and was able to plate a run with an RBI groundout.
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Then, with one out and runners still on second and third, Inciarte delivered a two-run single to right to make the game 6-3 Braves.
Three innings later, Atlanta would use four hits, a walk, and a sac fly to hang another three-spot, pushing their lead to 9-3.
With a six-run cushion, Matt Wisler was called on in the top of the ninth to face the 7-8-9 batters and end the game. Of course, rather than go quietly, the Mets proceeded to load the bases for the Bruce who, again, punished a high fastball, this time for a grand slam.
Wisler was pulled and Jim Johnson recorded the final out of the game.
Notes:
The win actually puts Atlanta 0.5 games up on New York in the NL East standings.
Every single Braves position player to see a plate appearance recorded a hit (pinch-hitters included).
Jay Bruce recorded more RBI (6) than 17 teams on Tuesday.
Seven different Braves scored at least one run but, curiously, Inciarte was not one of them.
The series will continue on Wednesday with Jacob deGrom facing off against Bartolo Colon. First pitch is 7:35 PM EST.