Pitching Woes Continue
Atlanta carried a 3-0 lead into the third inning but the Mets scored their first run of the game on a RBI single from Jeff McNeil. Chirinos was able to get out of the inning and keep the lead at 3-1.
Yonny Chirinos pitched decently for the most part through the first four innings of the game but things absolutely fell apart in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Mets started the inning with back-to-back singles and scored their second run of the game on a ground ball to Orlando Arcia. Arcia was able to get the force at second but was unable to turn two.
He then allowed another single and the Mets had runners on first and second with one out. Pete Alonso then grounded to third base and Lindor was out on the force out but Alonso was safe at first as the Braves couldn't turn another double-play opportunity.
Chirinos then walked in the tying run with back-to-back free passes. He walked Vogelbach to load the bases and then walked catcher Omar Narvaez as New York tied things at 3 apiece. This forced Brian Snitker's hand as Chirinos was at 95 pitches and had lost command.
I think Yonny Chirinos could be successful in short bursts for a couple of innings, but I haven't seen anything to believe he should be tasked with more.
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) August 14, 2023
Collin McHugh checked into the game but that doesn't instill very much confidence at the moment as he has struggled a bit this season. McHugh walked the first batter he faced to give the Mets a 4-3 lead and continued the problem Braves pitchers have been having lately with issuing a lot of walks.
New York added another run to the lead as it appeared the umpires stated the batter was hit by a pitch but it was apparently called catcher's interference. The Braves challenged this play but it was confirmed and the Braves lost their challenge and were now losing 5-3.
The Mets would then score 2 more runs on a single from Rafael Ortega but that would be the end of the Mets scoring as they took a 7-3 lead into the sixth inning. Chirinos finished his day with 4.2 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, and 5 K.
McHugh only allowed one hit through the sixth and seventh inning and covered 2.1 innings for the Braves. Tonight wasn't the best for him but his August ERA is much better than it was in July. In July, his ERA was 5.79 but it is at 1.17 through 7.2 innings so far in the month of August.
Kirby Yates covered the 8th inning for Atlanta and it was uneventful as he held the Mets to their 7-6 lead and handed things back to the offense. Atlanta's pitching has been some of the worst since the All-Star break so that's something that will need to improve if the Braves want to have a shot at a World Series title.