Spiraling Mets keep sinking to new lows with another futile loss to Braves
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In their nine losses since the calendar turned to — gasp, Friday the 13th — the Mets have scored two runs or fewer six times. Spencer Schwellenbach handled the Mets in a second straight start, firing seven strong innings in which Juan Soto’s two-run homer served as the only damage inflicted. Soto had another chance in the eighth, with the potential tying and go-ahead runs on third and first base, but struck out on a full-count slider from lefty reliever Dylan Lee to complete an eight-pitch plate appearance.Lee retired the Mets in order in the ninth. Paul Blackburn, in his third start of the season, allowed three earned runs on six hits and three walks with five strikeouts over 4 ²/₃ innings.
It was the second straight start in which Blackburn failed to complete five innings.And it was a second straight outing by a Mets starter that went short: David Peterson lasted only four innings a night earlier. Blackburn drilled Ozzie Albies leading off the second, helping the Braves score their first run.
Albies stole second and reached third on Sean Murphy’s single before Michael Harris II hit a sacrifice fly. Ronald Acuña Jr.led off the second with a homer to center field, extending the Braves lead.
The homer was the second allowed by Blackburn this season.The Mets deficit extended to 3...