Braves at Mets
The Atlanta Braves claimed Billy Hamilton off waivers this week for his speed and defense, but enter Saturday’s middle contest of a three-game series at the New York Mets with a six-game winning streak thanks to his bat. Hamilton, who entered the game in the ninth inning as a pinch-runner, singled home the go-ahead run in the 14th inning and stole two bases as the National League East leaders overcame a major-league record-tying 26 strikeouts in a 2-1 victory.
Atlanta rookie outfielder rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. became the first Braves player since Ron Gant in 1991 to record a 30-homer, 30-steal season, swiping second base in the eighth inning to become the second player in major-league history to accomplish the feat before his 22nd birthday (Mike Trout, 2012). The Mets lost for just the second time in their past 15 home games to snap their five-game winning streak, dropping to 27-11 since the All-Star break. Catcher Wilson Ramos singled twice in extra innings to extend his hitting streak to 17 games - the longest Mets hitting streak since Jose Reyes’ 18-game streak in 2008 - and is batting .403 in that span. Rookie first baseman Pete Alonso extended his on-base streak to 19 games with a ninth-inning single, and is batting .308 in August with six homers and 20 RBIs in 21 games as he remains at 40 homers - one off the Mets single-season franchise record.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS South (Atlanta), WPIX (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Max Fried (14-4, 3.84 ERA) vs. Mets RH Zack Wheeler (9-7, 4.40)
Fried saw his five-start win streak end with a no-decision Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he survived allowing three runs on five hits in a 38-pitch first inning, giving up just three hits in the next four innings as the Braves rallied. The 25-year-old enters the weekend second in the NL in wins, and in four August starts has pitched to a 2.01 ERA with 26 strikeouts against seven walks over 22 1/3 innings. Fried beat the Mets on Aug. 13 in Atlanta, allowing one run on six hits over six innings of a 5-3 victory.
Wheeler was not moved at the trade deadline and responded by firing 15 consecutive scoreless innings across his first two starts in August, a streak the Braves ended when they pounded him for five runs on 12 hits in five innings on Aug. 13. The 29-year-old fared better in his last start Sunday at Kansas City, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits over five innings. Wheeler, who is 5-2 with a 4.20 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 11 home starts, has walked two hitters or fewer in his past 18 starts since May 4.
WALK-OFFS
1. Both teams ran out of position players in the series opener and used a combined 13 relievers.
2. Mets OF J.D. Davis walked twice Friday and has reached base in each of his past 22 starts at home.
3. Braves 2B Ozzie Albies went 1-for-7 Friday and has just one hit in his past 20 at-bats.