A.J. Ewing was moved to the leadoff spot, but the New York Mets' offensive struggles continued in a 5-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Truist Park. The defeat dropped the Mets to a season-worst 16 games below .500.
Ewing went 0-for-3 in his debut at the top of the order. Interim manager Andy Green indicated that Ewing will remain in the leadoff position against right-handed pitching, while Carson Benge, who previously occupied that spot, was moved to fifth in the lineup. Green noted Ewing's .375 on-base percentage against righties as a key factor, while also seeing Benge as a potential middle-of-the-order hitter.
The Mets' pitching struggled early, with Christian Scott lasting only four innings. He allowed three earned runs on two hits and four walks, striking out seven. It was Scott's shortest outing since May 18, and he departed after 82 pitches.
Michael Harris II gave the Braves an early lead with a two-run homer in the second inning. The Mets briefly tied the game in the third when Soto hit a two-run homer, his 18th of the season. However, Ozzie Albies responded in the same inning with a solo home run to put the Braves back in front, 3-2.
Matt Olson extended the Braves' lead in the fifth with a home run off reliever Cionel Pérez, marking the first earned run Pérez had allowed in 15 appearances this season. Olson added his second homer of the game in the eighth, pushing the Braves' lead to 5-2.
The Mets showed a late spark in the ninth when Bo Bichette hit an RBI single, cutting the deficit to 5-3. However, Francisco Lindor was retired for the final out with the tying and go-ahead runs on base, ending the game.
The Braves managed only five hits on the night, but four of those were home runs. Despite the late noise, the Mets' offense failed to generate consistent momentum throughout the game.