Matt Olson homered in consecutive games for the first time this season, and the Atlanta Braves won 9-2 against the New York Mets on Sunday, despite an injury to All-Star starter Reynaldo López.
Austin Riley, Orlando Arcia, and Ramón Laureano also hit home runs for the Braves, who managed to split the four-game series after losing the first two games. The Braves now hold the top National League wild card spot and are 1 1/2 games ahead of the Mets for second place in the NL East.
“That’s a good win for our team,” manager Brian Snitker said. “It’s encouraging. Maybe we’re breathing some life into that offense.”
López pitched three scoreless innings, reducing his major league-leading ERA to 2.06, before leaving the game with tightness in his right forearm. He is day-to-day and is returning to Atlanta for an MRI. The Braves are already dealing with several key players on the injured list.
“Right now, it’s forearm tightness and we took him out as a precaution,” Snitker said. “I’m glad he said something because you just don’t know about those things.”
Pete Alonso hit a two-run homer, and Tyrone Taylor had two doubles for New York. Before the game, the Mets completed a trade with Washington for outfielder Jesse Winker, who received a warm welcome from the Citi Field crowd before striking out as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning.
Olson threw his bat and helmet in frustration after striking out against David Peterson (5-1) in the first inning. However, Olson then hit a three-run homer 426 feet into the upper deck in right field, giving Atlanta a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning.
It was Olson’s fourth home run off Peterson in 15 at-bats.
“Still just going to be working to have consistent at-bats every time, but seeing results is good,” Olson said.
Arcia walked with the bases loaded later in the inning. He then hit a solo homer in the seventh, and Riley added a two-run homer off Ryne Stanek, who was making his Mets debut after being acquired in a trade with Seattle on Friday.
