Braves Rally in 9th to Beat Mets
By Mark Kolar
Jul 22, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Jason Heyward (22) fields a ball for the final out as left fielder Reed Johnson (7) begins to celebrate the win against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Atlanta Braves won 2-1. Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Dillon Gee again shut down the Braves, and again, the Mets fell in the 9th to the Braves. This time, it was Bobby Parnell who let the slim lead slip away.
As you will remember, back on June 17th, Dillon Gee pitched a gem against the Braves in Atlanta, until Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off two run home run, shocking Gee and the Mets. On this day, Gee, who pitched seven innings of two hit ball, again gave the Braves fits, h0lding them with out a hit until the 7th inning when Freddie Freeman again got to him, this time with a lead off single. It appeared the Braves would break through in the 7th, as they proceeded to load the bases with one out. However, Chris Johnson would ground into a fielders choice, forcing Freeman at home, before Joey Terdoslavich struck out swinging.
Julio Teheran pitched well himself, going six innings and striking out six. The only run he allowed came in the fourth inning, when Marlon Bryd led off the inning with a triple, as the ball went under the glove of Justin Upton who was attempting a sliding catch. Ike Davis would follow with a base hit to right, making it 1-0.
The Braves ninth inning rally started with a Brian McCann single to left center, spoiling the shift the Mets had deployed. Evan Gattis followed with a blooping single to right center. Dan Uggla would ground into a fielders choice to David Wright, who forced Jose Constanza at third who had pinch run for McCann. A passed ball would allow the runners to move up to second and third, before Chris Johnson knotted the game with a ground out to short. With two outs, Reed Johnson put the Braves ahead with a single to center.
Craig Kimbrel made things interesting in the 9th as he hit a batter, and walked another, but escaped the jam when Justin Turner lined out to center as Jason Heyward made a great diving catch to preserve the victory.