by NEW YORK (AP) — The Atlanta Braves defeated the struggling New York Mets 4-3 on Thursday night thanks to home runs, an RBI single, and a double in the eighth inning by Ozzie Albies.
The Braves are 7-3 against the Mets this season, and Bryce Elder (5-9) gave up three runs (two earned) in seven innings. Raisel Iglesias recorded a flawless ninth to win his seventeenth save.
Albies delivered an RBI single off Tyler Rogers in the sixth inning after going deep against starter Kodai Senga in the third. After scoring on an Albies double to deep right in the eighth inning, Michael Harris II tied the score with an RBI double off Ryan Helsley (3-3).
The Mets’ lead over the idle Cincinnati Reds in the chase for the last wild-card slot has decreased to a half-game, and they have lost 13 of their previous 15 games.
The Mets led 3-2 in the sixth after Francisco Lindor hit a solo homer in the third inning and back-to-back RBIs from Brandon Nimmo (sacrifice fly) and Pete Alonso (single).
In five and a third innings, Senga allowed two runs.
Key moment
Before retiring Nimmo on a grounder to strand Lindor at first in the seventh, Dylan Lee struck out Juan Soto on three pitches.
Key stats
Albies has the most RBIs of any opponent—81—against the Mets. The Mets reached a team-record 36 consecutive thefts without getting caught, with Lindor and Soto each stealing a base.
Up next
The Mets will continue to play at home on Friday when they take on the Seattle Mariners and RHP Luis Castillo (8-6, 3.19), starting LHP Sean Manaea (1-1, 4.33 ERA).
On Friday, RHP Hurston Waldrep (2-0, 1.54) will take the mound for the Braves as they resume their six-game road trip against the Cleveland Guardians and LHP Joey Cantillo (3-2, 4.11).
