The Atlanta Braves got their first glimpse of an NL East foe during spring training Thursday afternoon, defeating the New York Mets by a final score of 6-2. A game in which a majority of Atlanta's regulars did not play, the Braves record in Grapefruit League play is now 2-2 as a result of the win.
Allard, Dodd impress in Atlanta Braves 6-2 win over Mets
Drawing the start for the Braves in the contest was left-hander Kolby Allard, who was making his second appearance of the spring after a solid debut in the Grapefruit League opener. Allard would certainly go on to impress as well Thursday, throwing three hitless innings with only one walk allowed and three strikeouts.
Atlanta would originally get on the board in the top of the second inning as well, as Eli White opened the scoring with a two-run home run off Mets starter, Carlos Carrasco. The Braves would then extend the score to 3-0 in the top of the third on a double-steal, with leadoff hitter Forrest Wall stealing home after Vaughn Grissom swiped second base.
Replacing Allard on the mound in the fourth inning would be another left-hander, Dylan Dodd, with the Braves prospect eventually going 2.1 scoreless innings with three hits and four strikeouts. Atlanta would also add another run during this span, with Grissom driving in Yolmer Sanchez via a sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth inning to make it 4-0.
The Braves would go on to get scoreless relief appearances each from the likes of Matt Swarmer and Darius Vines, as well as even adding two more runs in the top of the seventh inning via a Ryan Casteel home run and a Cody Milligan RBI double.
New York would later add two runs in the bottom of the ninth, but aside from that, it was all Braves on Thursday afternoon, with Atlanta eventually winning the game by a final score of 6-2.
Noteworthy Stats
- LHP Kolby Allard - 3 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
- LHP Dylan Dodd - 2.1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
- OF Forrest Wall - 2/4, 2 R, 2B
What's Next?
The Atlanta Braves will travel to West Palm Beach tomorrow afternoon for a matchup against the Houston Astros, with first pitch slated for 1:05 PM ET. The probable starters are RHP Bryce Elder (0-1, 21.60 ERA) for Atlanta, as well as RHP Jose Urquidy (0-0, 4.50 ERA) for Houston.