Recap: Elder sharp, Ozuna stays scorching hot as Braves take down Mets 3-2

The Atlanta Braves turned to Bryce Elder in game two of their series against the Mets hoping to even the series at a game a piece.

Elder lasted 7 scoreless innings against the Yankees in his last outing and allowed just one hit. He did allow 3 walks, however, which is something he needs to improve on. He also is lucky to have an impressive offense behind him to help give some cushion should he have a rough start.

That offense got to work in the second inning against Tylor MeGill. Marcell Ozuna led off the inning with a single and was driven in on a no-doubt homer by red-hot and Player of the Week, Eddie Rosario. Ozuna and Rosario continue to do incredible work in the month of August.

Ozuna had a double and a single heading into the 5th inning but decided he should add on to that. He hit a solo homer into the left field seats that looked like a pop-up off of the bat but it just kept carrying. It would have been cool to see Ozuna hit for the cycle but that would have been tough as he is not really fleet of foot. The Braves carried a 3-0 lead into the sixth inning.

Things went pretty well for Elder on Tuesday night as he looked more like his first-half self once again. He was able to get outs on in two-strike counts and even escaped a bases-loaded jam. Elder even made a nice play in the sixth inning to get an out at first base on a swinging bunt.

He would be replaced after making that nice play and completed 5.1 innings of work allowing just 1 earned run on 2 hits with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts. His walk total again matched what he did against the Yankees so not much improvement in that department but overall a good start.

He was relieved by Pierce Johnson who struck out Pete Alonso for the second out but allowed a two-run homer to Daniel Vogelbach which brought the Mets within a run of the Braves. Johnson was able to strike out DJ Stewart to escape any further damage.

It was then Joe Jimenez's turn out of the bullpen and he did not disappoint. He struck out the first two batters faced and induced a groundout to end the 7th inning for New York. He was followed by A.J. Minter who pitched a scoreless frame and allowed just one hit in the eighth inning.

Raisel Iglesias checked in for the ninth inning hoping to earn his 25th save of the season. Iglesias walked the first batter faced and then allowed a single to give the Mets runners on first and second with no outs.

However, he would get a clutch double play on a groundball to Austin Riley at third who threw to Matt Olson to complete the play. Iglesias then got the final out via a Rafael Ortega groundout.

The Braves are now 81-44 on the season as they continue to be baseball's best team with a +207 run differential. They wrap up their series with the Mets tomorrow night with Charlie Morton on the mound.