Be it a 162-game season or the 60-game edition, the Braves have a knack for the dramatic.
Down 2-1 and on their final out and strike, newcomer Marcell Ozuna did exactly what the Braves signed him to do. The slugger belted a game-tying homer off Edwin Diaz in the ninth, helping the Braves force extra innings against the Mets on Saturday.
Shortstop Dansby Swanson began the 10th with a single, which allowed Adam Duvall _ placed at second to begin the inning under MLB's new extra-inning rules _ to score their third run. The Braves tacked on a couple more with RBIs from Ender Inciarte and William Contreras, helping them defeat the Mets, 5-3, earning their first victory of the season.
"We're always being positive, fighting for every single pitch, every single out," Ozuna said. "We're always looking for something to do damage. Yesterday was the first day and we couldn't (get it done). Today was a good day that we could come back and do some damage."
It was the first National League game and second game in MLB history to feature the new extra-inning rules, which are intended for quicker finishes. The batter who made the last out of the previous inning is placed at second to begin the ensuing frame. The A's defeated the Angels Friday night in the first game under the format.
For at least Saturday, the controversial rule worked in the Braves' favor.
"If it's going to work and do that, this could be another one of those changes that we might end up liking," manager Brian Snitker said. "It made it interesting. They came right back, a couple hits, and there you go again. I think, as I've seen it, it might change how you use your closer on the road too. You may pitch him in the ninth inning in a tied game now, just because you're setting up with a runner on base like that. My verdict isn't out. We'll wait and see."
Starter Max Fried: "Starting a runner on second base was a little weird, but it obviously worked out for us today. So I guess I kind of like it right now."
Ozuna added: "It's good. You have a chance to finish the game quick. You have a chance to win the game. Today, we had a chance with the man on second and Swanson hits it up the middle to score that one, then we were on top."
Before extras, the Braves used two solo homers to overcome their mostly lifeless offense, which didn't produce a run in Friday's loss. The team struck out 25 times across its first 18 innings while managing only the two runs over those frames. Those homers _ provided by Duvall and Ozuna _ were enough to give the Braves a chance to steal the game Saturday.
Fried didn't allow a hit until the fifth inning, showcasing his entire repertoire and keeping the Mets off balance most of the day. But New York plated two runs in the fifth, which would be Fried's final inning.
Michael Conforto doubled and Amed Rosario tripled for the Mets' first hits and run. After Fried plunked Brandon Nimmo with a pitch, Jeff McNeil's sacrifice fly scored the go-ahead run. Fried finished the inning and completed his first outing having allowed two runs on two hits, striking out five and walking two.
