NEW YORK _ On a weekend commemorating an improbable turnaround five centuries ago, the Mets were in need of a modern day miracle to climb back into the National League East race. The Mets could not honor their 1969 team with their play as the bullpen continued a June best left forgotten.
A bases-clearing double by Johan Camargo was the play that put things out of reach as the first-place Atlanta Braves won, 6-2, at Citi Field on Friday night.
The backbreaking double came with Robert Gsellman on the mound and was one pitch after the reliever appeared to hit Austin Riley. Riley did not think so and neither did Mets manager Mickey Callaway, who challenged the call. The play stood as Riley's jersey was grazed, loading the bases with two away and setting the stage for Camargo.
Gsellman did not take the loss in the game but he continues a chaotic month of June for the Mets bullpen. Gsellman's ERA has increased over a run in the course of the last four weeks, growing to 5.08 after tonight's performance.
Starter Jacob deGrom took the loss and was shaky early, but still put together a quality start for his sixth straight outing. The reigning Cy Young Award winner pitched six innings, allowing three runs on six hits, striking out seven and walking a pair. It was the 10th quality start for deGrom since the beginning of May, a span of 12 starts.
The Braves jumped on deGrom early in the second inning with a leadoff double by Nick Markakis and a two-run home run by Riley two batters later. In the third, Ronald Acuna Jr. led off with a base hit and stole second base. Acuna Jr. advanced to third on a groundout and scored on Josh Donaldson's sacrifice fly.
The Mets offense, which was quiet for eight innings in Philadelphia on Thursday, stayed silent to start off on Friday night, as well. Braves starter Mike Soroka retired the Mets in order in the first three innings before Pete Alonso smacked his 28th home run of the season, extending the franchise's record for a rookie.
Soroka came out of the game with one out in the seventh inning and surrendered another run when Tomas Nido scored Todd Frazier with the third single of the inning.
That was Soroka's last batter to make way for Anthony Swarzak, making his Citi Field return after being involved in the Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz trade during the offseason. Swarzak allowed an infield hit to load the bases, but struck out Jeff McNeil and got Alonso to line out to left field.
