[WeagleWeagle]

Series Review

It wasn't the start the Braves were hoping for in 2016 as they dropped their home opening series to the New York Mets. Atlanta's starting pitching was outstanding but weak offense and a spotty bullpen resulted in two tough losses. The biggest concerns for the Braves right now has to be Jace Peterson and Jose Peraza. Both are considered building blocks of the future but their bats were non existent in the first series. Neither recorded a hit & in Peterson's case didn't even reach base....

Game 1
Mets 5 @ Braves 2
WP: Matt Harvey (1-0) 8.0 IP 9 H 2 ER 7 K
LP: Alex Wood (0-1) 7.0 IP 7 H 3 ER BB 7 K
S: Bobby Parnell (1) 1.0 IP

Player of the Game: Matt Harvey

Braves Drop Opener

Atlanta, GA - For most of the night it was the pitching duel both sides expected sending their aces to the mounds. The Braves got a run in the 1st thanks to some small ball as rookie Mallex Smith singled, stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on flyout before scoring on a Freddie Freeman single. The Mets would respond in the top of the 2nd with Steven Souza double scoring Travis d/Arnaud. After that both pitchers would hold their own until the 5th when the Mets added another run. The Braves threatened twice in the bottom of the 4th and bottom of the 8th as Jace Peterson came up both times (first with bases loaded, second with a man on 3rd) and flew out both times leaving a total of 6 men on base in a hitless day. The Braves cut the lead to 3-2 in the bottom of the 7th thanks to a clutch double by AJ but that would be it for the Braves. Shae Simmons surrendered 2 runs in the top of the 9th and Bobby Parnell shut the door in the 9th to give the Mets the 5-2 win.

MLB Top Performers

1. SP Sonny Gray (OAK) 9.0 IP 2 H 0 ER 1 BB 11 K in 9-0 win versus CLE
2. 2B Jonathon Berti (TOR) 4-4 2 2B 4 RBI R BB in 7-5 win versus BOS
3. SS Orlando Calixte (KC) 3-4 2 HR 4 RBI 2 R in win versus MIN

Game 2
Mets 2 @ Braves 3
WP: Shelby Miller (1-0) 6.0 IP 5 H 2 ER 6 K
LP: Mat Latos (0-1) 5.2 IP 8 H 3 ER BB 4 K
S: RJ Alvarez (1) 1.0 IP BB 2 K

Player of the Game: Andrelton Simmons 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI

Simmons Saves Braves

Atlanta, GA - Early in the season it is becoming clear, the Braves are going to need amazing pitching to win and tonight they got that from Shelby Miller and their bullpen. Besides a 2 run shot by Carlos Moncrief in the 3rd inning, Miller was nearly perfect striking out 6, walking none & surrendering only 5 hits. He got great support from the pen as Angel Nesbitt, Luis Avilan, Jim Johnson & RJ Alvarez combined to throw 3 innings of 1 hit shutout ball. The big inning for the offense came in the 6th when Mallex Smith opened the inning with a double. After a Peterson flyout & Santana strikeout the Braves found some 2 out magic. Freddie Freeman singled in Smith, then Markakis singled to put men on 1st & 2nd. That's when Andrelton Simmons came up big driving a double into the left center scoring both Markakis & Freeman. That would be enough and the Braves left Turner Field with a W.

MLB Top Performers

1. RF Jason Heyward (STL) 4-5, 2 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 R in 12-9 loss to MIL
2. 1B Kennys Vargas (MIL) 4-5, HR, 4 RBI, 2 R in 12-9 win versus STL
3. 2B Jose Lopez (TB) 3-5, HR, 5 RBI, 2 R in 10-2 win versus BAL

Game 3
Mets 4 @ Braves 2
WP: Zack Wheeler (1-0) 6.0 IP 8 H 2 ER 5 K
LP: Julio Teheran (0-1) 6.1 IP 6 H 4 ER 8 K
S: Bobby Parnell (2) 1.0 IP K

Player of the Game: RF Carlos Moncrief 1-2, 2 RBI

Moncrief Lifts Mets Past Braves

Atlanta, GA - Braves fans will enjoy not having to face Carlos Moncrief for while. The Mets RF came in as a pinch hitter with bases loaded in a tie game and broke the game open with a single down the left field line scoring 2. That proved to be enough as Familia & Parnell teamed up to pitch 3 scoreless innings and the Braves fell 4-2. Julio was saddled with the loss but his numbers hide how good of a game he actually pitched for the most part. Teheran ran into trouble in the 1st but after that he pitched great going 6.1 innings, surrendering 6 hits, 4 runs, & striking out 8. 3 of those 4 runs came in the top of the 7th when a pair of seeing eye singles got the inning started & chased Teheran. Sean Marshall came in to get out #2 but Nesbitt proved ineffective walking the first man he faced then surrendering the game winning single. As for the Braves offense, Christian Bethancourt hit his first homer of the season in the bottom of the 4th to tie the game. The next inning Andrelton Simmons hit a sac fly bringing home Freddie Freeman. There has to be concern though for the Braves offense as young stars Jose Peraza & Jace Peterson were held hitless all series with Peterson never reaching base. The Braves will travel to Philadelphia tomorrow to try and get their first series win.

MLB Top Performers

1. CF Adam Eaton (CWS) 3-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, BB in 12-9 win versus DET
2. C Kyle Skipworth (CIN) 2-3, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB in 7-4 win versus CHC
3. C Salvador Perez (KC) 2-5, 3B, HR, 5 RBI, 3 R in 13-3 win versus MIN