Albies hits 2 HRs, drives in 7 as Braves blast Mets 20-2
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Ozzie Albies drove in seven runs with five hits, including two home runs, and the Atlanta Braves battered the New York Mets 20-2 on Wednesday night for a strong finish to a disappointing month.
The Braves (38-41) were 13-15 in June. They trail the first-place Mets (41-35) by 4 1/2 games in the NL East after enjoying a rare offensive highlight with 20 hits.
Mets left-hander David Peterson exited due to right side soreness in the fourth inning, leaving his status for his next start unknown. Peterson (2-6) allowed six runs and eight hits, each matching his career high.
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The Braves led 14-2 when outfielder Albert Almora entered the game to pitch in the eighth with the bases loaded. Almora walked Ender Inciarte and hit Pablo Sandoval with a pitch to force in runs.
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Almora then gave up a three-run homer to Albies, who set career highs for hits, RBIs and by scoring four runs. Albies had three singles before hitting a two-run homer off Thomas Szapucki in the fifth.
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Austin Riley drove in three runs on three hits, including a two-run single in the third to give Atlanta a 4-2 lead. Freddie Freeman had three hits and scored four runs.
This was the fourth time the Mets had allowed at least 20 runs in their history. They lost 26-7 at Philadelphia in 1985, 25-4 at Washington in 2018 and 23-5 at Washington in 2017.
Braves left-hander Max Fried (5-4) recovered after giving up a two-run homer to Pete Alonso. Fried came off the 10-day injured list to make his return from a blister on his left index finger and allowed two runs and three hits in five innings.
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Ronald Acuña Jr. led off the Braves first by hitting a sinker from Peterson 447 feet into the left-field seats for his 22nd homer. Ehire Adrianza added a pinch-hit homer for Atlanta in the seventh.
New York's Kevin Pillar led off the game with a double over left fielder Abraham Almonte, who appeared to turn the wrong way and couldn't make the catch. Fried recovered with two strikeouts before Alonso's two-run homer landed about halfway up the left-field stands.
Acuña extended his franchise record with his 23rd career leadoff homer, including four this season. Freeman singled and scored on Albies' single to tie it.
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The Braves sent 12 batters to the plate in the fourth, when they scored seven runs on six hits. Almonte doubled and scored on Kevan Smith's single. Sean Reid-Foley replaced Peterson and gave up five runs while recording only one out. Guillermo Heredia's double drove in two runs.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mets: Manager Luis Rojas said RHP Jeurys Familia (right hip impingement) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list this weekend after throwing a perfect inning for Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday. ... RHP Dellin Betances will have season-ending surgery on his right shoulder. He was placed on the 60-day IL on April 8 with a right shoulder impingement. ... Szapucki, recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, gave up six runs in 3 2/3 innings in his major league debut.
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Braves: LHP Sean Newcomb was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett to clear a roster spot for Fried. Newcomb has a 5.82 ERA in 23 games with 19 walks in 21 2/3 innings and will be asked to work on his control. "He’s got good stuff," said manager Brian Snitker. "He’s got a live arm. But you’ve got to get it over."
UP NEXT
Atlanta's Ian Anderson (5-4, 3.42) will face New York's Jacob deGrom (7-2, 0.69) in a matchup of right-handers in Thursday night's final game of the series. Snitker chose to give LHP Drew Smyly extra rest. "It gives Drew a little blow just because of the limited innings he had last year," Snitker said.