Game 62 of 162
Final Score: Braves 7 - Mets 5 (Truist Park, Atlanta GA)
Mets record: 30-32
Mets streak: Lost 5
WP - Nick Anderson (4-0)
LP - Brooks Raley (1-1)
SV - AJ Minter (8)
Seat on the Korner:
We select the star of the game and virtually invite him to a Seat on the Korner, just as Ralph Kiner used to do for his studio postgame show on WOR-channel 9 broadcasts in the early decades of the Mets.
Tonight, Harris went 3-4 including the double off of Max Scherzer that took the first lead for the Braves. He also had a great game defensively, making a great leaping catch in the outfield that prevented Mark Canha from getting an extra base hit.
Need to Know
Pete Alonso left the game in the top of the first after being hit in the hand by a 97 mph fastball.
Francisco Alvarez's home run left the bat at 110.9 mph for his 9th home run of the season.
Max Scherzer went 5.2 innings, giving up 5 runs, striking out 10 and walking 0.
Tommy Pham's 2 run home run in the top of the 5th was his first home run against a right hander this season, Pham now has 6 on the year.
Pete Alonso's x-rays were negative and was named day to day.
Turning Point
The turning point of the game was certainly in the bottom of the 6th inning, when Max Scherzer gave up 2 runs on RBIs from Michael Harris and Ronald Acuna.
From here, the Braves defense was able to hold onto the game with 2 stellar catches in the outfield by Michael Harris and Ronald Acuna. The Mets offense showed some pushes, bringing in the tying run in the top of the 7th with a deep sac fly. However, they could not generate anything else after giving up a two run homer from Michael Harris in the bottom of the 8th.
Three Keys
Alonso: In the top of the first, Pete Alonso was hit in the hand by a pitch thrown by Charlie Morton. He proceeded to drop to the ground and walk to first, then after being checked out by medical staff and Buck Showalter, he went to the locker room for further evaluation.
In the middle of the 4th inning, it was announced that the x-rays came out negative and that Pete would be considered day to day.
It Ain't Over 'till It's Over: In his previous 4 starts, Max Scherzer was 3-0 with a 1.08 ERA, however it can be safe to say that his pitching tonight certainly changed that. Between the bottom of the 1st and the bottom of the 3rd, Scherzer struck out 6 and only allowed 2 hits, both of which did not leave the infield.
All changed in the bottom of the 4th, when Scherzer gave up multiple singles and a run. Scherzer has been seen in the past to come back from these situations, and he almost did, retiring the first 2 hitters of the bottom of the 5th. But all changed when after Austin Riley's single that led to a Sean Murphy 2 run home run to make the score 4-3 Mets.
In the bottom of the 6th, Scherzer gave up 2 runs after a Michael Harris double brought Orlando Arcia home, and a Ronald Acuna single brought Harris home.
All in all, Scherzer went 5.2 innings, giving up 11 hits and 5 earned runs. Scherzer also had 10 strike outs and 0 walks.
In Buck we Trust?: It has certainly been noticed that Buck Showalter's decisions with the lineups have been controversial, including starting Daniel Vogelbach for 2 straight nights, even while he has been on a cold streak, being 0 for his last 7 before tonights game. Buck still showed confidence in him, speaking about it before tonights game:
Of course, this trend would continue, with Vogelbach going 0-2 tonight with a walk.
Many people are unsure of what the Mets' consistent lineup will be, but something that is important for Buck to do is to play the kids. Tonight, both Brett Baty and Francisco Alvarez recorded a hit and an RBI, including Alvarez's monster home run in the top of the 2nd. This proves that the young players are a valuable asset to the offense, and can produce when given the consistent opportunities. Buck needs to have them as a concrete part of the lineup, and as they continue to play, they can grow being surrounded by players such as Alonso and Lindor.
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