Braves vs Mets: Schwellenbach steers Atlanta Braves past New York Mets in tight series opener

Spencer Schwellenbach delivered a strong outing Monday night, tossing seven solid innings to lead the Atlanta Braves to a 3-2 win over the struggling New York Mets at Citi Field, opening a four-game series between NL East foes.

Schwellenbach (6-4) allowed just four hits and two runs - including a two-run homer by Juan Soto in the sixth - while striking out four and walking one. He retired the first eight batters he faced and kept the Mets in check until Soto’s blast, cruising through most of his outing with poise and efficiency.

The Braves jumped out early with a second-inning sacrifice fly from Michael Harris II before Ronald Acuna Jr. added a solo homer and Sean Murphy plated another run with a sac fly in the third, giving Atlanta all the offense they would need.



Despite leaving 11 men on base and going just 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position, the Braves made their early lead stand. Acuna went 2-for-5 with a stolen base and is now hitting an impressive .396 over 28 games since his return from ACL surgery.

Juan Soto brought the Mets within one with his sixth-inning homer, then came to the plate in the eighth with runners on the corners and two outs.

But Dylan Lee won a tense eight-pitch battle, striking out Soto to preserve the Braves' slim lead. Lee remained on for the ninth and pitched a perfect frame to secure his second save of the season— - and the Braves’ first save since May 16.


Matt Olson also contributed two hits for Atlanta, who have now won five of their last seven games and extended their winning streak over the Mets to four.

For New York, the downward spiral continues. The Mets have now lost nine of their last ten games and have fallen 1.5 games behind the surging Phillies in the NL East - just 12 days after holding a 5.5-game lead.