Mets explode for 16 runs to complete series win in Atlanta
Mets outfielder Tyrone Taylor celebrates a ninth-inning grand slam against Atlanta on Thursday in Atlanta. Credit: AP/Mike Stewart
ATLANTA — When it finished raining Thursday, the Mets poured it on.
They wrecked Atlanta, 16-4, to take a second of three games this week, registering their first series victory in this city since July 2022.
Last year, the Mets totaled three wins in 13 games against the perennial NL East champions. This year, they have two wins in three games.
“It means a lot,” said DJ Stewart, whose two-run shot in the third inning was his second home run and second hit of the season. “They had our number last year, and a lot of guys in this clubhouse remember that. We want to come out here and out and put our best foot forward. Obviously, we play them a lot more. But this is a good start to the season.”
Jose Quintana said: “Huge for us. We’re gaining a lot of confidence. Keep it up."
And Jeff McNeil: “They’re a good team. It’s going to be a battle every single time we’re playing them. Hopefully, we’re fighting for that top spot in the division. Every game against them matters."
The Mets (5-7) have a lot to prove before they can consider competing for the NL East, but this was a start. They have won five of seven games since opening the season with a five-game losing streak.
After a de facto day off via a rainout Wednesday — the game was rescheduled for late September — and a 40-minute delay to the finale, the Mets got to scoring quickly. McNeil led the way with a 2-for-3 effort, driving in three runs and walking twice. Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Alvarez had two RBIs apiece.
They plated three runs courtesy of three poor defense plays by Atlanta (7-4) in the first two innings. In the third, they earned their four-spot, with Stewart’s long ball highlighting a string of extra-base hits.
The Mets hammered righthander Allan Winans for seven runs (six earned) in five innings.
Quintana gave up three runs in 5 1/3 innings, striking out four and walking two.
“Relentless,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “This is a team that, even though we got off to a homestand that was a struggle for us, the consistency, the preparation, continue to have fun, continue to put pressure and staying consistent. It’s still early, but it’s important to start winning series, especially against two really good teams.”
Extra bases
Luis Guillorme’s first game for anybody other than the Mets came against the Mets — as a pitcher. He made his Atlanta debut on the mound in the ninth inning, giving up a grand slam to Tyrone Taylor . . . Julio Teheran elected free agency after the Mets outrighted him to Triple-A Syracuse . . . Christian Scott earned rave reviews for his five-inning, 10-strikeout performance for Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday. “We are paying attention,” Mendoza said. “It’s hard to not pay attention when a guy is throwing the ball the way he’s throwing.” . . . The Mets traded reliever Yohan Ramirez to the Orioles for cash.
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
