The intentional walk
Situation: Mets have a runner at second base with one out in the 14th inning of a 3-3 game, after a walk and sacrifice bunt to start the inning. Braves rookie sidearmer Gus Schlosser is pitching his fourth inning in the game.
The play: Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez has Schlosser intentionally walk leadoff man Eric Young Jr. in hopes of setting up a double-play grounder by Curtis Granderson, who was 0-for-6 on the day and batting .167 for the season.
Result: Schlosser throws a wild pitch to Granderson that advances both runners and left no margin for error. Granderson hits a game-ending sacrifice fly for a 4-3 Mets victory.
Explanation: Despite the fact that David Wright, who had four hits in the game, was due up after Granderson, the Braves believed that walking Young was a good risk to set up the double-play grounder for Schlosser, a sinkerballer. But the wild pitch changed the whole scenario and the plan backfired.
Lifted with a no-hitter
Situation: Aaron Harang has a no-hitter through seven innings against the Mets, with a 1-0 lead, but his pitch count is at 121.
The play: Manager Fredi Gonzalez, citing pitch count and four walks in his last two innings, replaces Harang with a reliever.
Result: Luis Avilan gives up a two-out single in the eighth that ends the no-hit bid. It’s the second time in four years Harang was removed with a no-hitter intact through at least six innings; it happened in 2011 with San Diego when coming off an injury.
Explanation: Harang recorded the first two outs of the seventh in three pitches, but issued consecutive seven-pitch walks before a six-pitch strikeout to end the inning. Gonzalez reasoned that the 35-year-old might have needed 140 pitches or more to finish, and didn’t want to risk injuring a guy having a terrific season. Afterward, Harang said he appreciated the precaution.
