The New York Mets were dominated by the Atlanta Braves, 14-3, on Saturday night at Truist Park as Atlanta broke the game open early and handed New York its third consecutive defeat. The loss dropped the Mets to 36-53, while the Braves improved to 52-35.
Sean Manaea turned in a mixed outing, allowing six earned runs over five innings despite providing much-needed length. The biggest blow came in the third when, with two outs and the bases loaded, Eli White lofted a shallow fly ball that dropped between Francisco Lindor and Tyrone Taylor for a bases-clearing double that stretched Atlanta’s lead. White also homered earlier in the game, while Michael Harris II and Mauricio Dubón each drove in runs as the Braves built a 6-0 advantage.
Taylor briefly sparked the Mets with a solo homer in the fifth, his first since May 17, before Mark Vientos crushed a two-run shot in the sixth to trim the deficit to 6-3.
Any momentum New York gained disappeared quickly. Austin Warren surrendered four runs over two innings of relief as Atlanta answered with two-run frames in the sixth and seventh before pulling away for the lopsided victory.
The Mets have now lost 12 of their last 14 games and are 2-6 under interim manager Andy Green since the managerial change last week.
New York will try to avoid a series loss when the four-game set continues Sunday at Truist Park. First pitch is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., with Nolan McLean (5-5, 3.78 ERA) taking the mound against Atlanta left-hander Martín Pérez (6-5, 3.27 ERA).
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.