Mets at Braves
It is only 20 games, but the Atlanta Braves are making quite the impression in the National League East entering the finale of a four-game home series Sunday against the New York Mets. The Braves, who have suffered three consecutive 90-loss seasons, rallied from a 3-0 eighth-inning deficit on Saturday by scoring a pair of runs in each of the final two frames to topple their division rival 4-3 and boost their record to 12-8.
Atlanta, which started the day leading the NL in runs scored and batting average, finished with just eight hits - four coming in the final two innings, including Ender Inciarte’s bunt single to score Johan Camargo with the game-winning run. The Mets received two hits and two RBIs from second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera, raising his average to .354 and giving him nine RBIs in 12 career games at Atlanta’s SunTrust Park. The Mets have dropped five of their past eight games after starting the season 11-1. New York closer Jeurys Familia, who is second in the majors with eight saves, could not close out the four-out save.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, WPIX (New York), FS South (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Zack Wheeler (1-1, 2.77 ERA) vs. Braves RH Mike Foltynewicz (1-1, 2.53)
Wheeler has touched 97 mph with his fastball while reporting no health issues through two starts, an encouraging sign given he struggled with injuries last season and he missed all of 2015 and 2016 after Tommy John surgery. The 27-year-old held Miami to two hits and one run with seven strikeouts in seven outstanding innings April 11, then followed six days later with a loss to Washington after giving up three runs on seven this with three walks across six innings. Wheeler is 4-2 lifetime against Atlanta with a 2.94 ERA, but has not faced the Braves since 2014.
Foltynewicz has increased usage of his slider through four starts (26.3 percent, compared to 21.2 percent a season ago) and the results have been positive, as he has not allowed more than two earned runs in a start while striking out seven or more in three of four outings. The 26-year-old walked a season-high four hitters in six innings Tuesday against Philadelphia, but surrendered just one run on four hits with eight strikeouts in a no-decision. Foltynewicz, who has topped 100 pitches in each of his past two outings, is 0-1 in three career appearances against the Mets with a 10.45 ERA and six homers allowed in 10 1/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Braves LHP Jesse Biddle earned the victory in his major league debut Saturday, pitching a scoreless ninth.
2. New York optioned RHP Gerson Bautista to Double-A Binghamton before Saturday’s game, recalling RHP Corey Oswalt from Triple-A Las Vegas.
3. The Braves made a pitching transaction for the third consecutive day, designating for assignment RHP Josh Ravin - who took the loss Friday - and promoting RHP Miguel Socolovich from Triple-A Gwinnett.