After Mets starter Bartolo Colon wasted 2-0 and 3-2 leads in a six-inning, three-run effort, the Mets and Braves began a battle of the bullpens.
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Atlanta cut the lead to 2-1 in the bottom half of the first on Kemp’s sacrifice fly. The 2016 campaign saw a rapid decline in Pierzynski’s numbers, particularly at the plate where he proved to be one of the team’s better hitters last season, as he batted just.219/.243/.304 with two home runs.
There have been plenty of experts who questioned why the Atlanta Braves would hold onto Freddie Freeman during their rebuild, but as the Braves host the New York Mets in the finale of a three-game series Sunday, their first baseman has shown he is a franchise cornerstone. He was replaced by James Loney at first base.
Cespedes is hitting.308 with eight HR and 19 RBI since returning from the disabled list on August 19, during which the Mets are 15-5.
Asdrubal Cabrera hit a one-out triple to right-center that Nick Markakis whiffed on while trying to catch, and Cespedes drove him home with a sharp groundout for a 1-0 edge.
With 20 games remaining on the Braves’ 2016 schedule, there’s still a possibility Pierzynski could return for the final two series. NY won 11 of its last 14 at the former stadium of the 1996 Olympics. The Braves will open a new stadium next season, giving the Mets a blank slate in this city, especially with Chipper Jones in retirement.
Sunday’s ceremony included a 21-gun salute, a colour guard from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, flag bearers from the U.S. Army, an honour guard from the Smyrna, Georgia, police and a contingent of bagpipes and drums. It gives him six RBIs in 33 games since August 1. Flores suffered a neck contusion when he hit into catcher Pierzynski and had to leave the game. LHP Steven Matz (shoulder tightness) threw about 65 pitches off a mound in Port St. Lucie, Fla. He did go on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring.
Pierzynski, 39, wouldn’t say after Saturday night’s 10-inning victory over the Mets if he’s played his last game. He was not at the ballpark Sunday, but his jersey still hung in his locker and his name plate was in place. RHP Rafael Montero, a rotation fill-in along with Lugo and RHP Robert Gsellman, will start Monday against the Nationals inWashington. He is 1-0 with a 4.15 ERA in two career starts against Miami. He is 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA in three starts and one relief appearance against NY.
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Braves: RHP Williams Perez (2-2) will make his 11th start.
