New York Mets defeat Atlanta Braves 8-7 – MLB Update
Spectators enjoyed a close confrontation on Monday, March 21 when National League’s New York Mets defeated Atlanta Braves 8-7 in their second scheduled meeting in the Grapefruit League at Digital Domain Park in Florida.
Mets’ starter Mike Pelfrey, making his fifth start of spring, tossed a costly three innings with two strike-outs on Monday. The Braves earned seven runs from his pitching in the fourth inning. The spell also helped the Braves remove a three runs lead posted
by the Mets in the third inning and gained four points advantage moving the table to 7-3. Pelfrey, coming from a defeat, moved straight to his throws while speaking with reporters.
"I thought I stayed away mostly, and then in the fourth inning I came in and pitched inside and the ball wasn't sinking," Pelfrey said. "I continued to throw it inside, and they continued to hit it."
Left-fielder Jason Bay chipped a two-run double in the third and earned a single moving closer to a seven point lead in the fifth keeping his slow start going in spring. However, he remained content what he did on the field. Mets’ manager Terry Collins commented
that he was happy with his hits and Bay’s hard work in the practice sessions.
The Mets bounced back in the ninth inning with four runs contributed by Brad Emaus, Luis Hernandez, Daniel Murphy and out-fielder Scott Hairston. Emaus singled to right-centre when Evans scored and Hu moved to third base. Hairston also singled to left and
Hu scored while Den Dekker advanced to second. Murphy assisted Dekker acquiring a single chipping to left side. Hairston achieved the leading run off Hernandez’s single.
Braves’ pitcher Kenshin Kawakami, making his first spring start, received three runs on three hits over three innings. He also had three strike-outs. Reliever Brett Oberholtzer consumed most runs permitting four runs on four hits over just a single inning
without striking-out any batter.
Atlanta could not utilise the runs scored in the fourth inning, as they did not make any run in the remaining innings. However, the Braves’ manager Fredi Gonzalez was pleased of his batters achievement in fourth innings.
"Even the outs we made that inning were good at-bats," Gonzalez said. "We scored seven runs against their No. 1 pitcher, their ace, and that was good."
The Mets put in a good performance as they managed to limit the Braves’ offence from scoring any big hits off their pitching line-up. The Braves will be looking to improve their performance as the regular season is starting soon. It will be interesting to
see how the Mets can carry their winning momentum into their next match-up.
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