Braves at Mets
The Atlanta Braves youth movement is on full display, and so far the results have been good as they could move into first place in the National League East with another victory Wednesday at the New York Mets. Featuring the three youngest players in the major leagues on its roster, Atlanta captured a 3-2 victory in Tuesday’s series opener as Mike Soroka won his big-league debut while Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albies combined for three hits and two runs scored.
Albies (21 years old), Soroka (20) and Acuna (20) gave the Braves the youngest three players to start a major league game in the same lineup since Atlanta did it in 1978, as Tuesday’s victory pushed the Braves to six games above .500 and within one-half game of first place in the NL East. There was good news for the Mets as outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, who was expected to miss at least part of the series with a bruised left thumb, extended his hitting streak to seven games by going 3-for-4 - including a solo homer - and threw out a runner at home plate. Outfielder Jay Bruce extended his hitting streak to eight games and New York’s bullpen fired three scoreless innings in the opener. The Braves have won three of the first four games against New York this season and have won five of eight on their current 10-game road trip.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Atlanta), SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Sean Newcomb (1-1, 4.23 ERA) vs. Mets RH Jacob deGrom (3-0, 2.06)
Newcomb’s start was pushed back a day to allow Soroka to make his debut Tuesday. Newcomb struck out seven but gave up four runs in a no-decision Thursday at Cincinnati. The 24-year-old has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his five starts this season, including against the Mets on April 20 in Atlanta when Newcomb held New York to two earned runs (three total) with five strikeouts in six innings.
DeGrom completed the first month of the season healthy and pitching as well as anybody in the NL, allowing zero runs in his last two starts while striking out 18 in 14 1/3 innings. That stretch includes a no-decision against the Braves in Atlanta on April 21, when the 29-year-old allowed just four hits with two walks and 10 strikeouts. DeGrom earned the victory Friday at San Diego, striking out eight while giving up five hits with three walks.
WALK-OFFS
1. Atlanta RHP Shane Carle left Tuesday’s game with numbness in his right thumb and forefinger after throwing two pitches in the seventh inning.
2. New York CF Michael Conforto did not reach base Tuesday, snapping his streak at 20 games.
3. The Braves finished with 15 hits Tuesday and have collected at least nine hits in their past seven games.