NEW YORK — At the start of the fifth inning, the Braves didn’t even have a hit. By the end of it, they hadn’t scored in their past 18 innings dating to Tuesday’s doubleheader and seemed in danger of a disappointing flight home.
It took about 20 minutes for the Braves to remind everyone who they are and what they can do.
The Braves (12-15) exploded for seven runs in the sixth inning – their best offensive inning of the young season – and beat the Mets 9-2 to split the four-game series. With this victory, the Braves went 3-4 on their trip to Texas and New York.
“We expect to come in and win,” Adam Duvall said. “To battle back there in game four and split the series, that’s the best we could’ve done in that scenario.”
In their sixth-inning outburst, which began with Austin Riley’s infield single in a scoreless game, the Braves sent 11 men to the plate. Eight consecutive Braves reached base, and seven of them scored. In this single frame, the Braves also collected more hits with runners in scoring position (four) than they did in three previous games in this series (three).
The seven runs in Wednesday’s sixth inning are the most the Braves have scored in a single frame this season, topping the five they plated in the third inning of their April 8 game versus the Reds. Before this offensive explosion, the Mets shut out the Braves in Game 2 of Tuesday’s doubleheader, and the Braves had scored nine runs in the series’ first three games.
“It’s contagious, because when it doesn’t happen, then guys press,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “The human nature is to want to be the guy. A lot of times it’s counterproductive. That’s why we say keep the line moving. That guy in front of you gets a hit, it kind of eases that next to it.”
For almost two-thirds of this game, the Braves’ offense again looked lifeless. Mets starter Tylor Megill didn’t give up a hit until Duvall ripped a single to left field in the fifth inning and, even after that, the Braves didn’t score.
This start to the game didn’t inspire much confidence, especially after the offense trudged its way through Tuesday’s doubleheader. The Braves have struggled to tally clutch and timely hits, and at times have had a difficult time even putting many runners on base.
But they believed – that their hitters with track records would soon hit, that this would eventually turn.
And in one inning Wednesday, it did.
In the sixth inning, facing Megill, Riley grounded out to third – or so it seemed. The Braves challenged the call, and it was overturned, which began the rally. Marcell Ozuna and Ozzie Albies hit consecutive singles to load the bases for Travis d’Arnaud.
Against newly inserted reliever Adam Ottavino, d’Arnaud drew a bases-loaded walk. Then Duvall and Dansby Swanson – who entered the day ranked Nos. 2 and 3 in strikeouts in the majors, respectively – gave the Braves a lift. Duvall smoked a two-run double, and Swanson hit a run-scoring single.
After Guillermo Heredia walked, Ronald Acuña, still finding his footing in his return to the Braves, lined an RBI single to right field.
Just like that, the Braves led by seven runs. The seven runs in the sixth inning are the most the Mets have allowed in an inning this season.
“There hasn’t been too many big innings this year in our games – us or the other team,” Duvall said. “So to be able to experience that, kind of have a blow-up, break-out inning, was good.”
In the eighth inning, Heredia, who also made an incredible leaping catch at the wall early in the game, sent a two-run shot over the wall to give the Braves an eight-run lead.
Whereas the Braves provided Kyle Wright with no run support Tuesday night, they gave plenty to Ian Anderson, who tossed 5 ⅓ innings and allowed one run.
In blowing out the Mets, who had the National League’s best record, the Braves perhaps began to rewrite the narrative surrounding them early this season. They’ve been inconsistent at the plate. They’ve often struggled with men on base.
But they have preached something early this season: Their lineup, with its depth and talent, is too good to struggle forever.
“That was huge, especially against that team,” d’Arnaud said. “They’re such a great team. They have so much depth, their pitching staff is really good, so for us to put up a crooked number, I think is very beneficial for us moving forward.”
The Braves on Friday begin a three-game series with the Brewers during a homestand that also includes two games against Boston and three versus San Diego. The Braves have not played up to their potential often this season, but Wednesday’s big inning could be a turning point.
“After yesterday, this is the best outcome. And it’s good,” Snitker said. “Rough road trip, ended on a good note, split with a really good team.”
