The New York Mets continued their momentum after a commanding victory in Game 1 by securing a 3-2 win over the Atlanta Braves in Game 2 of their weekend series. Sunday's matinee was a taut affair that came down to the final at-bat, with clutch plays and a key defensive call deciding the outcome. A tightly contested first four and a half innings set the tone for the game, with both teams exchanging defensive mistakes and questionable positioning.
AJ Smith-Shawver made his first big league start since undergoing Tommy John surgery in the spring. For most of his outing, he looked sharp and in control. The right-hander held the Mets scoreless for the first four frames, allowing minimal damage despite some defensive uncertainty on the field. However, the balance tipped in the fifth inning when the Mets broke through with key hits and a series of defensive miscues.
Tyrone Taylor started the inning with a walk, and a defensive misplay by Matt Olson let Brett Baty reach base without the ball leaving the infield. Francisco Alvarez took advantage of the situation with a line drive that rolled just inside the left field wall, scoring Taylor and moving Baty to third. Later, a sacrifice fly from A.J. Ewing brought Baty home, giving the Mets a 2-0 lead and shaking up the game's momentum.
Manaea bounces back after early trouble
Sean Manaea had a shaky start as well. Over the first five innings, he consistently worked around walks, soft contact, and a hit by pitch, showing enough command to keep the Mets in front. However, his day took a turn in the sixth when Matt Olson launched a two-run home run to tie the game and inject life into the Braves' offense.
Manaea immediately rebounded by retiring the next three batters with quick pitches, ending the inning in just five total throws. He finished his outing with six innings pitched, allowing just two runs while striking out four and walking two. Despite his less-than-perfect performance, the Mets trusted him to hold the lead, and he delivered when it mattered most.
Atlanta’s bullpen can’t contain the Mets
Victor Mederos, the Braves’ first reliever of the day, managed a hit in the sixth but was quickly replaced by lefty Dylan Dodd. Dodd had a rocky time as well, walking both A.J. Ewing and Francisco Lindor before Carson Benge came through with a crucial double that scored Ewing and pushed Lindor into scoring position. The inning continued to unravel when Jared Young was hit by a pitch, loading the bases before Dodd was relieved.
After Dodd’s exit, the Braves turned to Danny Young, who faced Jorge Polanco and induced a strikeout to end the threat. Meanwhile, the Mets’ relief corps stepped up, with Luke Weaver and Huascar Brazobán both pitching cleanly and firmly improving their trade stock with their performances on Sunday.
Williams secures final out as Braves fall short
Devin Williams took the mound for the ninth and gave the Braves little opportunity to rally. He got two quick outs with fly balls, but the game remained tense when Mauricio Dubón lined a single up the middle. A controversial call helped the Braves stay alive further, as an overturned out judgment allowed pinch runner Jorge Mateo to steal second base. But with the tying run on second and two outs, the Mets held their lead, and a strikeout by Riley ended the game for good.
According to win probability added, Carson Benge's game-winning double in the eighth was the most impactful play of the game. The Braves' biggest mistake was attributed to Matt Olson’s two-run home run, which dropped their chances of victory. The win marked the Mets' first back-to-back victories since a four-game winning streak in mid-May. Game 3, which will feature Christian Scott facing Chris Sale, is scheduled to start at 7:10 PM Monday night.