ATLANTA _ Only the overly optimistic could declare that the Mets have finally found their way. But if what transpired this weekend wasn't some mirage, then the path back toward contention has suddenly become clearer.
In his first start off the disabled list, Seth Lugo pitched the Mets a 2-1 victory over the Braves, allowing just one run in seven innings in an impressive season debut. It continued what has been a long-awaited pitching renaissance.
While the Braves won't be confused for world-beaters any time soon, the Mets nevertheless took three of four. By improving to 28-33, they moved to five game under .500, the closest they've moved to the break-even mark since May 31.
The surge has come on the back of the kind of pitching that has faltered since Noah Syndergaard went down with a lat injury on April 30. In their last five games beginning with Zack Wheeler's gem against the Rangers on Wednesday, the Mets' starters have combined to allow only three earned runs in 32 2/3 innings for an 0.83 ERA during that span.
And the last two have come from a pair of pitchers coming off the disabled list with elbow injuries, Steven Matz in the back end of Saturday's doubleheader sweep and Lugo in Sunday's series finale.
For the first time since April 19-21, the Mets got consecutive seven-inning performance from their starters, providing a much-needed respite for a bullpen that has been run into the ground.
Lugo scattered six hits and walked two. But he struck out six and leaned on another maligned unit _ the defense playing behind him _ to bail him out of trouble.
The Mets led 2-1 in the fifth behind a sac fly from Wilmer Flores and a run-scoring infield hit from Juan Lagares. But Lugo encountered a roadblock.
With out, the Braves loaded the bases against Lugo, with a dangerous bat in first baseman Matt Adams at the plate. But one day after committing two errors in a game, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera started an inning-ending double play that changed the tenor of the day.
Adams' hard grounder forced Cabrera to enter a slide to his left. From a knee, the shortstop shoved the ball to second base. Neil Walker caught it as he came across the bag, then in one motion fired a strike to first base. Flores stretched for it, and though umpires initially ruled Adams safe, a review showed that the ball barely beat the runner.
With that, the Mets used a moment of baseball ballet to close out a series that could go down as a turning point to the season.
When Lugo departed after 90 pitches, Jerry Blevins worked a perfect eighth inning ahead of Addison Reed, who recorded his 11th save of the season.
If they have indeed found themselves, they'll learn quickly if it's real during an upcoming 14-game gauntlet that features a string of teams that made the playoffs last season.
On Monday, the Mets begin a homestand against the defending world champion Cubs and the division-leading Nationals. Then comes a three-city road trip that includes stops against the Dodgers and Giants
