Ruben Tejada powers New York Mets to 7-5 win over Atlanta Braves – MLB Update
A Ruben Tejada inspired New York Mets overcame the Atlanta Braves 7-5 on Sunday, September 18 to win the three-game series 2-1 at Turner Field in Atlanta, Georgia.
Tejada drove in four runs in the game to give the Mets a crucial win, keeping their hopes alive of finishing third in the National League East. He doubled to left-field in the fourth inning to allow Nick Evans, Justin Turner and Dillon Gee a run each after
Jason Bay had scored the equaliser earlier in the inning.
Earlier, Chipper Jones pulled together his experience to carve a double through left field in the third inning, enabling Michael Bourn to give the home side an early advantage. Brandon Beachy, however, could help Atlanta in maintaining the lead, leaking
four runs in the fourth inning before being replaced by Cristhian Martinez in the fifth inning. Beachy threw 105 pitches in this stretch to demonstrate immense arm strength but lack of variety proved disastrous for Atlanta’s starter who, in the end, was lucky
to get a no-decision.
Braves have been second behind Philadelphia Phillies throughout the season and a strong comeback in the fourth inning was a worthy evidence of their valour under pressure. Alex Gonzalez homered down left flank before Jayson Heyward and Bourn scored a run
apiece to eradicate the lead and bring the game back in contention.
Freddie Freeman made full use of his only at-bat, driving a run through right-field to allow Gonzalez his second run of the game and give the Braves a handy one-run lead over the Mets in the seventh inning.
Searching for a rare series win on the road, Bay led the fight-back for the Mets, scoring the equaliser in the eighth inning before Jose Reyes made a timely return to form, coming in as pinch hitter for Josh Thole and scoring a run on his only at-bat to
give the visitors an essential one-run lead.
Craig Kimbrel failed to save the game in the ninth inning for the Braves, conceding a home-run to see the Mets go two-runs clear of the home side.
Atlanta’s lead in the Wild Card standings was trimmed to 3.5 games after the loss and they will now have to work hard to cement their place in the postseason.
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