Mets at Braves (Game 1)
The Atlanta Braves have spent the past two years rebuilding for the future, and two key parts of that plan came through in the opener of their four-game series against the visiting New York Mets, which continues Saturday with a split doubleheader. Dansby Swanson hustled for a double in the ninth inning on Friday to set the stage for Rio Ruiz, who delivered the game-winning single to left field as Atlanta posted its third victory in a row to pull within five games of .500.
Swanson, who got off to a miserable start this season, finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs to raise his average this month to .407. New York received solo homers from Curtis Granderson and Travis d’Arnaud in the series opener, giving it blasts in 23 of its 25 road games this year, but the team's bullpen gave up three runs in four innings. After hitting .327 in winning two of three in Atlanta early last month, the Mets collected just five hits in 31 at-bats on Friday. Jay Bruce registered two of them, extending his hitting streak to six games.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SNY (New York), FSN South (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Robert Gsellman (4-3, 5.53 ERA) vs. Braves LH Sean Newcomb (NR)
Gsellman was sent to the bullpen after allowing six runs and nine hits against Milwaukee on May 13, but following two relief appearances, he has been outstanding in three starts. He beat Pittsburgh on June 3, giving up two runs in 5 1/3 frames, and has posted a 2.95 ERA in those three outings while recording 14 strikeouts and five walks in 18 1/3 innings. Gsellman pitched a scoreless inning of relief against the Braves on Opening Day and defeated Atlanta on May 1 despite allowing five runs in five frames.
The centerpiece of the traded in November 2015 that sent defensive wizard Andrelton Simmons to the Los Angeles Angels, Newcomb makes his debut for Atlanta after going 3-3 with a 2.97 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 57 2/3 innings at Triple-A Gwinnett. Newcomb, the 69th-ranked prospect by MLB.com (and fifth in the Braves’ loaded system), features an upper-90s fastball and a big breaking curveball. Control has been an issue for the 23-year-old, who has walked 5.2 hitters per nine innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Mets have dropped 10 of their last 14 road games but have homered in 12 straight away from home.
2. Braves LF Matt Kemp recorded his seventh three-hit performance of the season Friday and ranks in the top 10 in the National League in hitting (.333).
3. Granderson is one homer away from 300 for his career and four doubles shy of reaching the same total in that category.