deGrom Dominates as Mets Finish Off Braves
METS 5 – BRAVES 2 It was almost perfect. In his first start at Citi Field in over a year, Jacob deGrom had the Atlanta Braves completely and totally befuddled….
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 07: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets looks on in the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on August 07, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
METS 5 - BRAVES 2
It was almost perfect. In his first start at Citi Field in over a year, Jacob deGrom had the Atlanta Braves completely and totally befuddled. The two-time Cy Young winner retired the first 17 batters to face him and struck out 12 batters before walking Ehire Adrianza and serving up a two-run blast to Dansby Swanson. While deGrom wasn't happy with himself for serving up the homer, the fans at Citi Field stood and cheered deGrom on as he exited the ball game.
And why not? deGrom was dominant. The Braves had no answers for him. He threw 18 sliders on Sunday, and almost all of them had the Braves chasing and missing.
The Mets got all the runs deGrom would need in the third inning when Pete Alonso drove in Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo on a ball that bounced off the third base bag and rolled down the left field line. Later Mark Canha drove in Alonso and Daniel Voglebach on a two-run double-into the left-center field gap to make it 4-0.
The victory pushed the Mets to six-and-a half games ahead of the Braves in the NL East, and moved the Amazin's to a record of 70-39, which is the exact same record shared by the New York Yankees.
Even though they got thoroughly outclassed by the Mets, who won four of five, the Braves couldn't take responsibility for their poor effort, with starter Spencer Strider saying the Mets got lucky to win any of the games.
