Braves vs Mets Recap: Late Rally Falls Short in 7-5 Loss

The Braves rolled into Citi Field in Queens looking to bounce back. They'd lost two straight and needed to get right fast. Spencer Strider took the mound for Atlanta, but trouble came immediately. Bo Bichette crushed the first pitch he saw into left-center field for a solo homer. Just like that, it was 0-1 Mets. Then Juan Soto stepped up and didn't waste time either. He rocketed a fastball over the right field wall for another solo shot. The Mets lead grew to 0-2 before Atlanta even recorded an out. The Braves' elite starter was in serious trouble already. Ronald Acuna Jr. sat out with a hamstring injury, leaving the lineup thinner than usual. Atlanta needed to answer quickly, but the early damage was already done. Strider couldn't find his rhythm against New York's hungry hitters.

Atlanta didn't quit. In the second inning, they scratched out two runs to cut the deficit. Dominic Smith singled to left and Ozzie Albies raced home. Then Mike Yastrzemski followed with a single to right, bringing Smith across. It was 2-2 now. But the Mets answered right back in their half. Bichette came to bat with two outs and smashed another Strider fastball into right field. This time it was a grand slam situation—well, not quite. The ball cleared the wall and three runners scored behind him. Melendez, Torrens, and Benge all crossed home. Suddenly the Mets were back up 2-6. Strider was getting battered. The Braves had momentum for just a moment, then New York's power surge took over completely.

The Braves kept fighting. In the fifth inning, Matt Olson stepped up against Cionel Perez and ripped a fastball deep to center field. The ball sailed over the wall for a solo shot and cut the lead to 3-7. It was the sign Atlanta needed. In the eighth inning, they had another chance. Ozzie Albies singled to center field and Michael Harris II scored to make it 4-7. Then Eli White hit an infield single that brought Albies home. Suddenly it was 5-7 and the Braves had hope. But time was running out. Devin Williams came in for the Mets and closed the door in the ninth. The Mets held on for a 7-5 victory. Atlanta fell to 45-24 while New York improved to 30-39. The Braves' win streak ended, but they stayed competitive in the division.