The Sports Xchange
Sep 26, 2017
NEW YORK -- Travis Taijeron's RBI single with one out in the ninth inning capped a comeback that gave the New York Mets a 4-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night at Citi Field.
The Mets (68-90) have won two of the first three games of the four-game series against the Braves (71-86). By winning its penultimate home game of the season, New York ensured it will finish no worse than fourth in the National League East.
Kevin Plawecki, whose two-run homer in the seventh pulled the Mets within 3-2, led off the ninth with a single off A.J. Minter (0-1). Dominic Smith then drew a walk before Minter struck out Amed Rosario. Taijeron followed with a line drive over the head of left fielder Jace Peterson as pinch runner Juan Lagares raced home.
Brandon Nimmo had two hits for the Mets, including a one-out single in the seventh that immediately preceded Plawecki's homer. Asdrubal Cabrera lofted a game-tying sacrifice fly in the eighth.
Right-hander Jeurys Familia (2-2) picked up the win with a one-hit ninth.
Nick Markakis (first-inning double), Peterson (second-inning double) and Ozzie Albies (second-inning single) all had run-scoring hits for the Braves.
Markakis, Albies and Freddie Freeman all had two hits apiece.
Atlanta's Ender Inciarte led off the game with a double for his 200th hit of the season.
Neither starter factored into the decision.
Mets right-hander Rafael Montero gave up three runs, eight hits and two walks while striking out three in six innings.
Braves right-hander R.A. Dickey allowed two runs, five hits and no walks while striking out four in 6 2/3 innings. Dickey carried a two-hit shutout into the seventh and retired 13 straight batters before Nimmo's hit.
The 42-year-old knuckleballer, who has discussed retiring after the season, doffed his cap to the crowd as he exited. Dickey won the Cy Young Award for the Mets in 2012.
NOTES: The Mets announced LHP Tommy Milone (elbow) and RHP A.J. Ramos (biceps) are both battling injuries. Milone underwent an MRI, and Ramos played catch. ... Mets RHP Noah Syndergaard is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday. If he comes out of it healthy, he likely would make a brief start this weekend. Syndergaard started and pitched one inning last Saturday in his first major league action since he tore his right lat on April 30. ... Braves RHP R.A. Dickey made his 300th career start and 400th career appearance. ... Braves 1B/OF Matt Adams (hamstring) flied out as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning. Manager Brian Snitker said Adams would likely be limited to pinch-hitting the rest of the season.