Atlanta Braves beat Mets 11-7 behind Touki Toussaint gem

It was a long game offensive-wise and pitching-wise for the Atlanta Braves but filled with an outstanding outing, one that wasn’t, a first-of-the-season homer and Paul Byrd chants.

Yes, you read that right, Touki Toussaint (not Sean Newcomb) was the hero of Saturday’s game, pitching a gem out of long relief that essentially became a start for him while the Atlanta Braves mustered enough points to secure the win over the Mets.

What was believed to be a blow-out lead ended up being slightly uncomfortable.

The game started out well as Newcomb got the first out on one pitch and eventually got through a scoreless first.

The Braves went into action to back him up, scoring four runs starting with a lead-off single by Ozzie Albies. Josh Donaldson drew a walk and then Ronald Acuña Jr. had a 1-out single to drive home Albies.

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Nick Markakis also drew a walk to load up the bases before Dansby Swanson got a walk as well to bring in another run. This forced the Mets to make an early pitching change but Johan Camargo lined a single to right to score two more.

Now back to Newcomb to continue pitching well right? Yeah…Newcomb ended up struggling as well, before also getting pulled out in the second.

Newcomb allowed three consecutive Mets to reach base to load it up before a double from Juan Lagares scored two. A sac-fly by pitcher Corey Oswalt plated another run before a single from Jeff McNeil scored another, allowing the Mets to get back all four runs.

With one out and one on in the second, Toussaint entered the game and managed to end the threat. Toussaint want on to pitch a total of six innings with seven K’s, only two walks and a run.

The Braves went and took back the four points again during the bottom of the inning. Albies got a one-out walk before Donaldson doubled to deep right. Consecutive hits from Freddie Freeman, Acuña Jr. and Markakis and a sac-ground from Swanson scored four runs and got the Braves their lead back.

Late Game Power

Later in the game, the Atlanta Braves continued to show some power. Markakis launched a fastball for a massive home run to right during the fourth while Donaldson went to right-center into the bullpen for his first home run of the season. It was a smooth yet wild swing. At that point, the Braves had a 11-4 lead.

Earlier in the 2nd, Freeman got a single in the bottom sixth and after getting to third base via wild pitches and errors, Swanson singled him home.

Toussaint came close to tying the Braves record for most strikeouts via relief which was eight but it was a strong performance nonetheless.

He was finally taken out of the game when he gave up a walk and single in the eighth. The lone run that Toussaint allowed came after he was replaced by Chad Sobotka and an error by Freeman that scored Travis d’Arnaud.

Sobotka came out in the ninth to finish it up but allowed two more runs before closing it out for the 11-7 win.

It has been a rough series for the Braves but this was a good win that was fully entertaining on multiple accounts on Saturday. Donaldson’s high exit velocity and hard contacts now includes a homer while Swanson stays hot with three RBIs. Other names that had a good night were Acuña and Markakis. We also hope manager Brian Snitker’s neck is doing alright.

Now they will look to split the series on Sunday with Julio Teheran going against Jacob DeGrom.

Catch the series finale at 7:00 pm ET when it gets broadcasted by ESPN.