Tyler Flowers' soft single chased home the go-ahead run as the Atlanta Braves batted around and scored five times in the seventh inning to stun the visiting New York Mets 6-4 on Wednesday.
The Braves, who had given up the lead in the top of the inning, strung together six singles - five of them against reliever Seth Lugo (5-3), who was charged with all five runs and retired only one batter.
The Braves loaded the bases and scored on a singles by Ender Inciarte and Flowers, a fielder's choice to the right-fielder by Matt Joyce and a single by Ronald Acuna Jr.
The Braves survived a New York rally in the ninth. Atlanta reliever Mark Melancon gave up two runs and was removed with two outs and the bases loaded. Ex-Met Jerry Blevins struck out Michael Conforto to end the game and earn his first save. The winning pitcher was Chris Martin (1-3).
The Braves wasted a stellar start from left-hander Dallas Keuchel, who bounced back after giving up eight runs in his previous start. Keuchel threw six shutout innings, giving up five hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in his first career start against the Mets.
The Mets also saw their bullpen ruin a good start from southpaw Steven Matz. He pitched six innings and gave up one run on two hits, one walk and five strikeouts. Matz was lifted after throwing 79 pitches and had retired 14 straight, but manager Mickey Callaway opted to start the seventh inning with Lugo.
Atlanta scored a run in the second when Inciarte's double drove home Josh Donaldson.
The Mets took a 2-1 lead with two runs in the seventh against the Atlanta bullpen. Left-hander Sean Newcomb surrendered a broken-bat single to Matz with two outs. Martin then entered and gave up a single to Amed Rosario, who took second when left fielder Adam Duvall threw to the wrong base. J.D. Davis drove home both runners with a bloop single to center.
The start of the game was delayed one hour and 12 minutes by rain.
--Field Level Media
