The Mets’ offense finally showed some life late, but Atlanta’s power proved too much as New York fell 6-3 to the Braves on Wednesday night at Truist Park. The loss dropped the Mets to 53-69 and gave Atlanta a 73-48 record.
Zac Thornton continued to pitch efficiently in his eighth major league start, allowing three runs over six innings. He surrendered a solo homer to Lane Thomas in the second before escaping a bases-loaded threat in the third with a double play.
Atlanta added another run in the fifth, but Thornton worked around additional trouble before finishing with three runs allowed on seven hits and one walk while striking out two over 80 pitches.
Tyler Mahle kept New York quiet for most of his outing, retiring 11 straight after allowing a leadoff hit. Luis Torrens finally broke through with a solo homer in the sixth, ending Mahle’s scoreless streak with Atlanta at 11 innings.
Luis Robert Jr. followed with a solo shot in the seventh to make it 3-2, but the Mets’ momentum disappeared immediately. Mike Yastrzemski and Austin Riley hit back-to-back homers off Dedniel Núñez before Atlanta added another run to restore a four-run lead.
Bo Bichette gave New York one final spark in the ninth, launching his 12th homer of the season to cut the deficit to three. The Mets then put two runners on with nobody out, but could not bring either home.
Bichette and Carson Benge each finished with two hits, while New York went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position and struck out nine times.
The Mets have Thursday off before returning to Citi Field on Friday to begin a three-game series against the Washington Nationals. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Robert Stock is scheduled to start Friday, with Sean Manaea and Christian Scott lined up for Saturday and Sunday.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.