The New York Mets found a way to split its four-game series with the Atlanta Braves and came away with an exciting 7-6 win in extra innings to take the tiniest bit of momentum into a three-game set with the Kansas City Royals.
The Mets jumped in front of the Braves after right fielder Carson Benge drilled an opposite field home run out of the five-spot in the lineup, a change that interim manager Andy Green made in the series opener and kept throughout the series.
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Benge had been great in the leadoff role, but it’s understandable that the lineup got a shakeup due to inconsistent offensive output. He went 2-for-4, walked and scored twice, so Benge is comfortable in the middle of the order.
Braves first baseman Matt Olson hit two homers, including a game-tying two-run shot in the ninth after Mets left fielder Juan Soto hit a go-ahead three-run bomb in the top half of the inning.
Mets catcher Luis Torrens came up clutch in the 10th, knocking in two with a double to left field. Atlanta got one back, but right-hander Luke Weaver shut the door for his first save of the season.
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Mets starter Freddy Peralta was pulled after 4.2 innings, allowing one earned run on six hits and one walk while striking out six. New York’s defense continues to muddy the waters for its pitching staff, as an error led to Atlanta’s first two runs.
The Mets escaped Atlanta with two wins and return to Citi Field to take on the Royals, which have been just as bad as New York this season, but both teams have won its last two games. Kansas City will throw former Mets righty Seth Lugo while the Mets are currently undecided and likely to have a bullpen game.
Lugo was excellent over his first five starts but hasn’t been great since his last start in April. The 36-year-old is 3-6 with a 4.20 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 76 strikeouts to 30 walks through 17 starts (96.1 innings).
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The former All-Star last worked against the Tampa Bay Rays and allowed three runs on nine hits with seven punchouts over six innings, earning a quality start but taking the loss.
Lugo, just like Peralta, is likely to be heavily involved in trade talks with teams that are desperate for starting pitching. He eats a lot of innings and could be a cheaper option for teams that don’t win the sweepstakes for some of the frontline starters expected to be on the market.
First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. EDT on MLB.TV and regional sports networks.
