Mets Beat Braves 5-2 Led By DeGrom's Dominating Start

Mets RHP Jacob deGrom (Photo Credits to Vincent Carchietta-USA Today Sports)

The New York Mets beat the Atlanta Braves 5-2 this afternoon at Citi Field to take four out of five games in the series to increase their lead over the Braves to 6.5 games in the NL East improved their record to 70-39.

After scoreless innings in the bottom of the first and second, CF Brandon Nimmo led off in the bottom of the third with an infield single and two batters later, SS Francisco Lindor singled.

1B Pete Alonso followed with a two-run double and then DH Daniel Vogelbach walked.

The next hitter 2B Jeff McNeil flew out, but then LF Mark Canha came up next and broke the game open with a two-run double.

In the bottom of the fifth, McNeil led off with a double and Canna flew out to right which allowed McNeil to advance to third.

McNeil then was able to score on a wild pitch by RHP Colin McHugh.

RHP Jacob deGrom got off to a incredible start retiring the first 17 hitters he faced until he walked 2B Elhire Adrianza with two outs in the top of the sixth and then gave up a two-run homer to SS Dansby Swanson and was then taken out.

His final line was 5.2 innings, one hit, two runs, one walk and 12 strikeouts.

DeGrom had pinpoint control on his fastball as well as a wipeout slider and was to generate 18 swings-and-misses on his slider. 

He was amazing from the beginning with unhittable stuff and had one of the best starts a Met pitcher has had this year.

If DeGrom can pitch like this going forward for the remainder of the season along with Max Scherzer it helps form arguably the best 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation in baseball which would be tough to beat in the playoffs.

DeGrom picked up his first win of the season.

LHP Joely Rodriguez followed with 2.1 scoreless innings.

RHP Edwin Diaz came on in the top of the ninth and continued his incredible season with another spectacular performance striking out the side on 14 pitches with fastball and slider and picked up his 26th save.

The Mets next game is tomorrow night, Monday August 8th at home against the Cincinnati Reds at 7:10 p.m.