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Game Recap: Lucas Duda’s blast lifts Mets to 5-0 victory in Atlanta

ByMichael Lecolant|

On Friday, the New York Mets began their final road trip of the season in Atlanta.  Opening this weekend’s 3-game series, Zack Wheeler climbed the hill at Turner Field in front of family and friends, and was opposed by Braves starter Julio Teheran.

The teams traded zeros until Lucas Duda opened the scoring with a 2-run home run in the 6th.

Sep 19, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Mets first baseman

Lucas Duda

(21) is congratulated by second baseman

Daniel Murphy

(28) after a home run against the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Mets then broke out for 3 more insurance runs in the 9th en route to a 5-0 victory.

Mets Starting Lineup:

1) Eric Young Jr.-LF; 2) Daniel Murphy-3B; 3) Travis d’Arnaud-C; 4) Lucas Duda-1B; 5) Wilmer Flores-SS; 6) Curtis Granderson-RF; 7) Matt den Dekker-CF; 8) Dilson Herrera-2B; 9) Zack Wheeler-SP.

Game Recap:

Julio Teheran‘s first pitch of the ballgame to Mets lead-off batter Eric Young was a fastball taken outside for ball one.  After Young was retired on a pop-up to third, Daniel Murphy lined the Mets first hit to right.  Batting third, Travis d’Arnaud bounced into an inning ending 5-4-3 double play.

Zack Wheeler‘s first pitch of the night to Braves lead-off batter Phil Gosselin was a fastball taken inside for ball one.  After Gosselin was retired on a grounder to short, Andrelton Simmons stroked Atlanta’s first base hit to center.  Wheeler then issued his first base on balls to first baseman Freddie Freeman.  Clean-up hitter Justin Upton swung through a 97 mph fastball for the second out.  Catcher Christian Bethancourt was denied on a diving play by Dilson Herrera to end the opening frame.

  • Through 3 innings, Zack Wheeler allowed no runs on 4 scattered hits and 1 walk, with 4 strikeouts.  However, he labored, throwing 63 pitches with 40 (63%) going for strikes, while averaging an uneconomical 21 pitches per inning.

With 1 out in the top of the 5th, Curtis Granderson doubled.  Matt den Dekker then lined a single up the middle; Granderson advanced to third (but perhaps should have scored on the play, as he delayed from second on contact). With 2-outs and a chance to help himself, Zack Wheeler fanned for the second time in the game.

With 2-outs in the bottom of the 5th, shortstop Andrelton Simmons (3 for 3) continued teeing-off on Wheeler with a double into the left/center gap.  Freddie Freeman then drew his second base on balls.  Zack Wheeler recovered to get Justin Upton swinging at a breaking ball in the dirt for strike three.

With 1-out in the top of the 6th, Daniel Murphy doubled – one bounce over the left/center wall.  With 2-outs, Lucas Duda homered into a fan’s popcorn bucket in the right field seats to give the Mets a buttered 2-0 lead off Julio Teheran.

  • After a shaky start, Zack Wheeler pitched 6 innings of scoreless baseball, but at 105 pitches his evening was through.  He left the game on the winning side of a 2-0 ball game having allowed 7 hits and 2 walks.  He fanned 7 batters, while 65 (62%) of his 105 pitches went for strikes.  Zack lowered his ERA from 3.61 to a 3.49 mark.

Carlos Torres entered the game in the bottom of the 7th in relief of Zack Wheeler.

Chasen Shreve entered the game in to top of the 8th in relief of starter Julio Teheran.

  • Despite Lucas Duda’s home run, Julio Teheran pitched very well over 7 innings, allowing 2 earned runs on 7 hits.  He walked none and fanned 6 batters.

Jeurys Familia entered the game in the 8th in relief of Carlos Torres, and retired the side in order.

For Atlanta, Jordan Walden entered the game in the top of the 9th in relief of Chasen Shreve.  With 1-out, Wilmer Flores singled, and Curtis Granderson walked.  Matt den Dekker drew another walk to load the bases.  Dilson Herrera worked the count full, and drew Jordan Walden‘s third straight walk to make it a 3-0 game.

Luis Avilan relieved Jordan Walden.  Still with 1-out, pinch hitter Anthony Recker struck out.  Eric Young Jr. then singled to left, scoring Granderson and Dekker for a 5-0 Mets lead.

For the Mets, reliever Buddy Carlyle pitched a scoreless 9th inning to close out the Mets victory.

Zack Wheeler earned the win; he improved his record to 11-10.

Scoring Summary:

  • Top 6th inning – Daniel Murphy hit a 1-out double.  Lucas Duda hit a 2-out home run to right.
  • Final Score: Mets 5; BRAVES 0

Highlights:

  • Las Vegas 51s manager Wally Backman joined the Mets coaching staff this evening, and will remain with the team through their final 8 games.  There is also speculation Wally Backman may join the Mets coaching staff in 2015.
  • Nice defense by Eric Young this evening.  Nice play by Dilson Herrera to save a run (or two) in the opening frame.
  • Daniel Murphy (4 for 5) hit his 35th double of the season.
  • Lucas Duda hit his 28th home run of the season, and drove in his 85th run (.252/.353).
  • This was Jeurys Familia‘s 73rd appearance of the season.  He threw 14 pitches with 11 going for strikes, and earned his 21st hold.  He has now has pitched 74.1 innings, allowed 59 hits, 50 walks, and fanned 84 batters.  He owns a 2.30 ERA and a 1.22 WHiP.
  • Friday evening, the Milwaukee Brewers were defeated by the Pittsburgh Pirates, which officially eliminates the Mets from post-season play.

Next:

9/20 Saturday, 7:10pm – Mets @ BRAVES

Jon Niese (8-11) vs. Mike Minor (6-11)

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