Mets Lose to Braves 9-8 in First Game of Doubleheader Due to Pitching Struggles

Mets 3B Brett Baty (Photo Credits to Brad Penner-USA Today Sports)

 The New York Mets lost to the Atlanta Braves 9-8 this afternoon in the first game of a doubleheader and dropped their record to 15-13.

RHP Denyl Reyes had a rocky top of the first inning as the "opener" and allowed five runs.

RHP John Curtiss came in next and gave up a run in two innings.

RHP Stephen Nogosek followed and 2.2 scoreless innings.

RHP Jef Brigham came in next and had a rough appearance allowing three runs in 1.1 innings.

RHP Tommy Hunter threw two scoreless innings in the top of the eighth and ninth.

In the bottom of the first, CF Brandon Nimmo led off with a triple and RF Starling Marte followed with a walk.

SS Francisco Lindor then hit a RBI single.

After a scoreless bottom of the second, Marte led off the bottom of the third with a single and then Lindor followed with a walk.

1B Pete Alonso came up next and delivered a three-run homer.

In the bottom of the sixth, 3B Brett Baty led off with a homer. 

In the bottom of the seventh, Lindor and Alonso led off with hit by pitches and then LF Jeff McNeil singled to load the bases.

DH Daniel Vogelbach then grounded into a fielder's choice and Lindor and Alonso scored on errors.

In the bottom of the ninth, 3B Eduardo Escobar hit a solo homer with two outs, but Baty lined out to end the game.

The offense struggled all day with men on base and went 3-14 with runners in scoring position leaving eight runners on base.