Mets Beat Braves 7-6 Behind Six Run 5th Inning

Mets CF Rafael Ortega (Photo Credits to Wendell Cruz-USA Today Sports)

 The New York Mets beat the Atlanta Braves 7-6 tonight at Citi Field to snap their three-game losing streak and improved their record to 53-65.

The Met offense was held scoreless for the first two innings against RHP Yonny Chirinos, but in the bottom of the third, LF Brandon Nimmo led off with a single and two batters later, SS Francisco Lindor was hit by a pitch.

2B Jeff McNeil followed with a RBI single.

After a scoreless bottom of the fourth, CF Rafael Ortega singled to lead off the bottom of the fifth and then LF Brandon Nimmo followed with a single.

Lindor then grounded into a fielder's choice which brought home a run and McNeil followed with a RBI single.

Two batters later, DH Daniel Vogelbach walked to load the bases and then catcher Omar Navarez walked to tie the game.

3B Mark Vientos then drew another based loaded walk to bring in the go-ahead run and RF D.J. Stewart reached on a catcher's interference which brought scored another run.

Ortega then capped off the inning with a two-run single.

RHP Kodai Senga got off to a rocky start in the top of the first after he gave up a three-run double to DH Marcell Ozuna, but settled down after that.

Senga allowed two hits in the next five innings and was taken out after the top of the sixth.

His final line was six innings, four hits, three runs, two walks and seven strikeouts.

Senga had much better command of his splitter or "ghost fork" after the top of the first which helped him pick up key strikeouts.

He picked up his ninth win.

RHP Grant Hartwig came in next and gave up a solo homer to catcher Sean Murphy in the top of the seventh.

LHP Brooks Raley gave up a two-run homer to 1B Matt Olsen in the top of the eighth.

RHP Drew Smith had to come in to get the last out in the top of the eighth.

RHP Adam Ottavino closed it out with a 1-2-3 top of the ninth and picked up his seventh save.

The Mets next game is tomorrow night, Monday, August 14 at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates at 7:10 p.m.