The New York Mets continued their downward spiral with a 14-3 thrashing by the Atlanta Braves on Saturday night at Truist Park. This latest loss, their 12th in the past 16 games, brings their winning percentage over that span to .250, a stark indicator of their struggling season.
Atlanta capitalized on a crucial misplay in the third inning, which led to three unearned runs. Typically reliable outfielder Tyrone Taylor misjudged a pop-up, allowing the Braves to extend their lead. This defensive lapse proved costly for Mets pitcher Sean Manaea, whose final line showed five innings pitched, six runs allowed (all earned), six hits, one walk, and four strikeouts. It was the first time since April 29 that Manaea had surrendered more than three earned runs. Manaea's night unraveled after plunking Austin Riley to load the bases with two outs in the third. Michael Harris II followed with an RBI single. Then, the play involving Taylor and Francisco Lindor unfolded: Lindor initially called for the ball but ceded to Taylor, who could not make the catch. The ball dropped for what was ruled a three-run double, giving Atlanta a commanding 5-0 lead.
Earlier, Eli White had put the Braves on the board with a solo home run in the second inning off Manaea. In the fourth, Mauricio Dubon homered, marking the first time Manaea had allowed multiple home runs in an outing this season. The Mets managed to get on the board in the fifth when Taylor hit a home run, ending Chris Sale's streak of 46 consecutive innings without allowing a homer. Mark Vientos added a two-run homer in the sixth, narrowing the deficit to 6-3.
However, the Braves quickly responded in the bottom of the sixth against reliever Austin Warren, who gave up an RBI double to Joey Bart and later a ground out that scored another run, extending Atlanta's lead to 8-3. Mike Yasztrezmski further widened the gap with a two-run homer off Warren in the seventh, putting the Mets in a 10-3 hole. The Mets' offensive struggles were evident as they scored three or fewer runs for the fifth consecutive game and were 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position against the Braves. The onslaught continued in the eighth when Joey Gerber allowed a two-run homer to Austin Riley. Luis Torrens then took the mound and surrendered a homer to Harris II before closing out the inning.
The Mets, now with only Colorado behind them in the National League standings, face the Braves again on Sunday, with Nolan McLean scheduled to start. The road trip concludes Monday with Freddy Peralta on the mound.