Rafael Ortega, Mets edge Braves to avoid last place – TSN.ca

NEW YORK (AP) — Rafael Ortega hit twice during the six-run fifth inning Sunday night, giving New York a 7-6 win over the major league-best Atlanta Braves and preventing the Mets from falling to last place in the NL East. .

The Mets, outscored 34-3 in the first three games of the series and overcame a 3-0 deficit Sunday, were still half a game ahead of the Washington Nationals.

New York hasn’t been in a basement late this season since 2005. The Mets trail the Braves 22 1/2 games a year after finishing with 101 wins and a tie atop the division against Atlanta, which has 101 wins. Leading – Tiebreaker Per Head

“To beat one of the best teams in baseball,” said Mets manager Buck Showalter. We know they use all the cylinders and give you the best shots, so whenever you can beat them, it’s tough.”

Ortega singled out for the lead in fifth and hit two run singles to finish a rally that included four singles and three walks—two with base loads—and the run score catcher’s intervention stunned him. Summon Sean’s Disturbance Brave Murphy

“You get a people base. You always want to do more,” Showalter says. “Everyone hits the bat and does something. Sometimes things you should be chasing. I didn’t say it was walking. but selection.”

Ortega finished with three hits, one of a career high. Jeff McNeil had three singles, including a hit that scored on the third.

Kodai Senga (9-6) allowed three runs – all in the first through Marcell Ozuna’s base clear – and fluttered seven in six innings.

The 30-year-old rookie right hand is tied with Max Scherzer, who was traded to the Texas Rangers on July 29, to lead the team in wins and top the Mets in pitching and strikeout innings.

“I feel good, I feel strong on the mound,” Senga said through a translator. “I think I can get through this season well. care in the field Off-field care I think I do what I can to maintain my high level of performance on the pitch.”

Murphy took the lead for 7th with a homer and Matt. Olson pulled the Braves within range with his major league-leading 43rd homer. which was a double shot in eighth place. Atlanta led the majors with 227 homers.

“Even when we fall I still feel good,” manager Brian Snitker said of the Braves, who have made 31 comebacks this season. “But we can’t walk like a lot of guys like that. They kept fighting and we gave ourselves a chance to win.”

Drew Smith lays hands on Murphy. who had a chance to run ahead in the last eight and Adam Ottavino made his seventh save with a perfect ninth.

Yonny Chirinos (5-5) gave up six runs in 4 2/3 innings.

The defense did not rest.

The Mets put in some impressive performances on the field. Shortstop Francisco Lindor dived into the hole to trap grounders by Ozuna before throwing him off with a jump. Throwing in the fourth round, Brandon Nimmo played left for the second time in the last two seasons. It even robbed Austin Riley’s extra base in sixth place. Pete Alonso then ended the inning by stopping a grounders dive by Eddie Rosario.

lots of courage

Sunday’s loss was the third of the Braves’ last 17 games against the Mets. That’s when Atlanta outscored New York 124-61. The Braves lead the NL East by 11 games over Philadelphia.

Only once in the last time

The Mets’ victory ensures both New York teams won’t be last in the standings late this season for the first time. The Yankees are 60-58, two games behind the fourth-ranked Red Sox in the AL East.

Trainer room

Braves: 2B Ozzie Albies exited the eighth inning due to cramp…Murphy hit Vientos’ backswing in the seventh inning. He visited the trainer for a few minutes. But remained in the game despite a head injury. Which likely came from the Pitchcom gear… RHP Kyle Wright (Shoulder), a 21-game Major League winner last season. But limited to five games this year, has begun his activities at the club’s spring training facility in Florida.

Mets: Showalter says RF Starling Marte (right groin) is making “gradual progress.” Marte is eligible to be dropped from the injured list on Wednesday. But it’s unlikely to return by then. and may need to recuperate

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Braves: LHP Max Fried (3-1, 2.50 ERA) went uphill as Atlanta returned home Monday from a season-high 11-game trip to start three games against the Yankees. Fried will make his third start after being on the injured list for nearly three months with a strain on his arm.

Mets: The 10-game homestand continued Monday when RHP Carlos Carrasco (3-6, 6.42) opened the three-game series against Pittsburgh.