NY bounced back from a four-game sweep against Boston that had them losing seven of eight games.
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“He didn’t need to explain that to me”, said Bruce, who actually was replaced by a pinch hitter eight times previously. “I didn’t and by the time I pulled up it was too late”, Granderson said. The result, coupled with wins by the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals, dropped NY into a three-way tie with the Giants and Cardinals for the two NL wild-card spots. NY nicked the Braves’ bullpen for three runs in the eighth but couldn’t complete the comeback.
In the seventh, with lefty specialist Jerry Blevins left in the game, the righthanded-hitting Garcia bashed a three-run shot that opened up a four-run cushion that proved insurmountable. Blair, who made his major league debut against the Mets on April. 24, entered the game 0-6 with an 8.23 ERA in 12 starts this season but didn’t allow a hit Monday until he gave up a single to Mets CF Curtis Granderson with two outs in the fourth inning.
By the time he came to the plate in the sixth inning, the boos were reminiscent of Jason Bay in his final season as a Met.
Mets: RHP Bartolo Colon (14-7, 3.14) leads the team in wins. In June, Teheran threw a one-hit shutout at Citi Field, and the two-time All-Star is 2-0 in four starts against NY this year.
The Braves have won five straight games at Citi Field dating back to June. “Now, it’s one of my favorites”, Teheran said. The Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen is one of the best and most underrated in the game, as he keeps his young pitchers focused while also teaching them a wipeout slider.
“Strikeouts don’t matter to me”, he said. Johnson bore down, however, and struck out Yoenis Cespedes on a nasty curveball to end the game and pick up his 16th save of the season.
Activated to start against the Mets, Blair (1-6) did not allow a hit until the fourth, when Curtis Granderson singled and T.J. Rivera hit a two-run homer.
Freeman led off the third with an opposite-field homer to left, extending his streaks for hits to 23 games and for reaching base to 39. Julio Teheran put together a strong performance, Adonis Garcia boasted the biggest swing of the night and the Braves extended their winning streak to four games with a 5-4 victory at Citi Field.
Robert Gsellman (2-2) took a two-hit shutout into the sixth but allowed a run on three hits and a walk before being removed with one out. Josh Smoker entered in relief, walked Nick Markakis to give the Braves their second run, and departed.
Mets SS Asdrubal Cabrera reached base five times – two singles, a double and two walks – for the fourth time in his career.
The Braves’ current winning streak began with two victories at home over NL East-leading Washington. “We still have a lot of games to play”. He started to falter in a 35-pitch second that included consecutive walks and RBI singles by Swanson and Inciarte, the first on a 99.9 miles per hour fastball and the second on a slider.
“He did such a good job the other day”, Braves interim manager Brian Snitker said Monday.
Mets: LHP Steven Matz (shoulder tightness), sidelined since August 14, possibly could start Friday night at home vs. the Phillies. INF Wilmer Flores (wrist) got another injection Monday.
Jay Bruce (r.) has a miscommunication in the outfield with Curtis Granderson on top of his slumping at the plate, which causes Terry Collins to pinch hit for him Tuesday night.
Braves: RHP Ryan Weber (1-1, 5.46 ERA) is set to make his second start in the majors this year. He is 7-3 with a 2.36 ERA in 15 career games (14 starts) against NY.
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He started with a 1-2-3 opening inning, then retired Matt Kemp on a flyout with his first pitch of the second.
