Andrelton Simmons defense saves Atlanta Braves win
What a strange night at Citi Field. For a solid stretch of the broadcast in this Atlanta Braves and New York Mets game, Chip and Joe decided they would take some time to watch New Yorkers eat in the stands. I can’t imagine what programming decision prompted this, but the only things worse than watching a fat New Yorker eat is probably watching a bulldog eat chili. The bulldog is likely less messy. Still, that sloppy display was an adequate metaphor for the way the Braves finished this game on Wednesday night.
The Braves struck first with a lead off homer by Jason Heyward. The Mets then tied it up with a Wilmer Flores homer. I know what you are thinking. Who the heck is Wilmer Flores? You would be correct to scoff at that homer since Wilmer is a Venezuelan 23 year old who has only played 51 games this season, and had only one homer coming into this game. Yet, he still managed to jack one off our best pitcher because baseball isn’t fair or predictable. I loathe the Mets.
So, with the game tied 1-1, the Braves had to find a way to get the lead back. Losing this second game and the series to the Mets simply wasn’t acceptable for a team in a playoff race. Enter the third inning, where Phil Gosselin reached on a bunt. Freddie Freeman then busted out with a double that moved the runners to second and third. Justin Upton hit an infield sacrifice that scored Gosselin, and Evan Gattis dribbled a ball to third that scored Freeman on an error by the shortstop. Just like that, it was 3-1 Braves.
That score stood up for most of the game. The pitchers really settled in and had great performances. Wheeler went seven innings giving up only two earned runs on four hits. Julio went just over six innings with one run on three hits. Both guys were really sharp, and it’s usually a shame when one pitcher has to lose. Except in this it’s a Met’s pitcher, so it’s not a shame at all. It’s the opposite of shame. What is the opposite of that? I’d ask a Mets fan, but I’m pretty sure they have never felt that emotion.
After the game went to the bullpens, the Braves struggled in the eighth inning. Jordan Walden came on to pitch. Things came unglued quickly. Walden gave up a single, then a wild pitch, then a walk. With two on and nobody out, the Mets hit a single to score the runner at second, and the score was 3-2 Braves. With nobody out, Walden got a huge double play that moved the runner to third. Then, Andrelton Simmons happened. The Mets hit a sharp grounder into the third base hole. Simmons ranged out onto the grass, did a 180 jumping spin throw across his body from way out in left field and got the runner with a one-hop throw to save the game. If he doesn’t make that miraculous play, the run scores and we’re tied.
Everything is an adventure with this team. In the ninth, Craig Kimbrel came on for the save attempt and immediately gave up a lead off single on a 3-2 count. Then he walked the next batter. After that the Mets laid down a bunt to get the runners to second and third with one out. Basically everyone in Braves country was in full on panic mode at that point. Craig got a big break as the next batter rolled to third, and Gosselin came home to get him at the plate. Craig then got the last batter to pop up to left, and the game was over.
Not a pretty finish at all for the Braves, but a win is a win. The MVP of the game is Andrelton Simmons for his magical play at short that saved the game. It was a pitcher’s duel all the way around as the Braves only managed five total hits, and 0-5 with RISP. The Mets only went 1-7 with RISP and stranded seven. It was a great outing by Julio Teheran. Next up it’s Mike Minor against Jonathan Niese in the rubber game of the series. Don’t miss it!