Carson Benge helps Mets take series from Braves with Game 1 doubleheader win
· Yahoo Sports
NEW YORK — There are few things more demoralizing for Mets fans than facing the Atlanta Braves when the NL East foes are sitting in first place in the division. Having to play them right before the trade deadline feels like a cruel twist in what has already been a cruel season for the Mets, but this time, it was more like a plot twist.
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The Mets crushed the Braves Monday night in the series opener, then won the first game of a doubleheader Wednesday, 3-2, to take the series.
It was their first series win since before the All-Star break, when they beat the Kansas City Royals in two of three games, and their third straight win against top teams in the National League. The Mets (46-62) are feeling the pressure being eased off of them as they approach the deadline, knowing there is no longer a deadline to get back into the wild-card standings.
“I would say we are kind of like letting go, you know?” said left-hander Sean Manaea. “I think everyone kind of knows where we’re at, where we stand, but ultimately, at the end of the day, there’s nothing us players can do about it. I guess we’re seeing that like that free and easy kind of level of baseball that ultimately is where we want to play.”
Carson Benge had the hero hit in the bottom of the seventh, breaking a 2-2 tie with an RBI double off left-hander Dylan Dodd (2-1). The rookie right fielder went 2 for 4 to snap an 0-for-6 streak at the plate.
Left-hander Sean Manaea tossed five shutout innings before Drake Baldwin led off the top of the sixth with a double, and Matt Olson hit a game-tying, two-run homer. It was a solid start for Manaea otherwise, his second straight, with the veteran holding the Braves to two earned runs on five hits, walking two and striking out four. His last time out, he held the Los Angeles Dodgers to only one earned run over six innings.
It’s the first time he’s recorded quality starts in consecutive games since 2024. Since moving back to the rotation, Manaea has posted a 3.88 ERA in nine games. In recent outings, his velocity has increased to 92-93 MPH. It’s certainly helpful, but it might not be the biggest factor in his season turnaround.
“I just see confidence and conviction,” interim manager Andy Green said. “I see someone who is on the attack the entire time. Had that game spun a bit different, it would have been a situation where going seven or eight was entirely possible; I didn’t see him tiring. He fell behind a couple of really good hitters and paid the price for it there, but the rest of the game, he was in total control.”
There were times when Manaea tried to nibble on the corners, but he was able to refocus to throw strikes. He’s no longer afraid to be beaten on his stuff in the zone.
“It’s that conviction of throwing strikes,” Manaea said. “If I get quality strikes, it’s great, but at the end of the day, it’s just throwing strikes to the end, just having the confidence to attack.”
While Manaea might not be one of the Mets’ trade candidates, his second-half improvements bode well for the team for the rest of the season and into next. The team might have the third-worst record in the NL, but the priority remains winning games and building good habits. With so many young players on the team and more expected on the way after the deadline, the club doesn’t want to create an environment where losing is simply accepted.
Manaea has been a mentor to rising pitchers like Christian Scott and Zac Thornton. Even when he was struggling at the start of the season, he availed himself to anyone who asked, but the better he pitches, the more he’ll be able to help others.
The Mets scored twice in the fifth to chase AJ Smith-Shawver from the game. The right-hander walked Tyrone Taylor to start the inning, then gave up a single to right by Brett Baty that allowed Taylor to go from first to third. A double by Francisco Alvarez scored Taylor and advanced Baty to third, where he was able to score easily on a sacrifice fly to center field by A.J. Ewing.
Devin Williams got the save (15), pitching around a two-out single. Pinch-runner Jorge Mateo made it interesting by stealing second base with two outs. He was initially called out, but the call was overturned after a review. Austin Riley struck out to end the game.