Today's Three Things: Braves win one-run game against the Mets to steal the series
The Atlanta Braves take the series against the New York Mets behind a quality start from Bryce Elder and three hits from Ozzie Albies
The Atlanta Braves beat the New York Mets 4-3 for their first one-run win since July 31st. Find Today’s Three Things here!
The Turning Point
The top of the eighth.
Newly acquired Mets reliever Ryan Helsley entered with Drake Baldwin, Marcell Ozuna, and Michael Harris II due up with the Mets leading 3-2.
The rally was started by a one-out Marcell Ozuna walk. Eli White then entered to pinch run and immediately came around to score on a Michael Harris double to left center field. Ozzie Albies delivered the big blow with another double, this one off the right field wall, scoring Harris to give the Braves a one-run lead.
This was all the Braves needed as they held on to win late. Dylan Lee threw a scoreless bottom half, while Raisel Iglesias threw the ninth inning, earning his 17th save of the year.
Player of the Game
Ozzie Albies. Ozzie Albies. Ozzie Albies.
Albies got the scoring started for the Braves in the top of the fourth with a solo shot off of Mets starter Kodai Senga.
The second baseman also delivered the aforementioned eighth-inning, go-ahead double off of hard-throwing righty Ryan Helsley. The double scored Michael Harris, who extended his multi-hit game streak to six, the longest by a Braves player in eleven years.
A sixth-inning RBI single scoring Drake Baldwin was sandwiched in between the two extra-base hits.
That’s good for 3-4 with a single, double, homer, and three RBI.
What We’ll Be Talking About
We’re gonna go with Bryce Elder here. Admittedly, we discussed yesterday how the Braves would need to call up someone to eat innings in today’s game if needed.
However, Braves starter Bryce Elder delivered the best start of the series. The former all-star delivered seven innings of three-run ball, only two of which were earned. The Mets were limited to just five hits off of him.
The thing that pleased me the most about the outing was his nine outs on the ground. Elder is seemingly at his best when he gets the ball on the ground with the sinker (50% ground ball rate), and tonight he did just that, being rewarded with two early double plays to erase some baserunners.
He also added six strikeouts in his seven innings of work.
Looking for more discussion about the game?
Here’s tonight’s postcast, where Lindsay with live with Locked On Braves host Jake Mastroianni to break down the win.
What’s Next for the Braves?
The Braves will travel to Cleveland to start a three-game weekend series against the playoff-hopeful Cleveland Guardians, who sit just 0.5 GB in the AL Wild Card race. Tomorrow night’s contest is set for 7:10 ET. Here are the upcoming pitching matchups:
Friday: Hurston Waldrep (2-0, 1.54 ERA) vs. LHP Joey Cantillo (3-2, 4.11 ERA) Saturday: Joey Wentz (3-3, 5.03 ERA) vs. RHP Slade Cecconi (5-5, 4.11 ERA) Sunday: Erick Fedde (4-12, 5.40 ERA) vs. LHP Logan Allen (7-9, 3.94 ERA)