NEW YORK (AP) — Carlos Carrasco dodged trouble for eight innings, Pete Alonso homered against Kyle Wright on an off night for Atlanta's breakout right-hander and the New York Mets beat the Braves 3-0 Tuesday night to complete a doubleheader sweep.
Alonso had two RBI singles in the opener as the Mets pounced early against Charlie Morton, and New York's bullpen closed out a five-hitter to beat the Braves 5-4. Alonso had two hits in each game.
Carrasco (2-1) stranded seven runners with some masterful work out of the stretch, keeping Atlanta off the board despite six hits and two walks. The 35-year-old threw 96 pitches and struck out five, bouncing back well after allowing eight runs in his previous start against St. Louis.
Carrasco became the first Mets pitcher to finish eight innings this season. He helped New York pitch its sixth shutout in 26 games this year.
Dominic Smith hit a two-run double against Wright (3-1) in the first, building off a four-hit game Sunday that may have preserved his spot when rosters shrunk from 28 to 26 on Monday.
Alonso went the other way for a solo drive in the sixth, his fifth homer.
A first-round pick in 2017, Wright came into Tuesday appearing to have finally corralled his immense talent with a 1.13 ERA through four starts. He took a step back at Citi Field, allowing season highs of three runs and nine hits while striking out a season-low three. Still, he covered seven innings on 97 pitches.
Seth Lugo closed out the shutout for his second save.
Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. sat out the first game and hit leadoff in the nightcap as Atlanta slowly works him up to speed in his return from a torn right ACL. He doubled to start the game and also had a walk.
Matt Olson had two hits for Atlanta in the late game after homering in the opener.
The late game took just 2 hours, 18 minutes to complete, New York's shortest game this season. Atlanta lost Saturday at Texas in 2:16.
GAME 1
Four of the Mets' first five batters reached against Morton, with the Mets taking a 2-0 lead on RBI singles by Alonso and Eduardo Escobar. Alonso added another run-scoring single during New York’s two-run second inning.
Morton (1-3) had 56 pitches through two innings but rebounded to cover 5 2/3 on 99 pitches, allowing five runs — four earned — on six hits. The 38-year-old right-hander lowered his ERA this season to 6.85.
Olson hit a three-run homer in the fifth against starter David Peterson (1-0), his third of the season, to pull Atlanta within 5-4.
Adam Ottavino struck out two in a perfect sixth and Drew Smith turned in two hitless innings to deliver a one-run lead to closer Edwin Díaz, who finished his fifth save. Smith has pitched 11 1/3 scoreless innings to open 2022.
“It’s a good start, but it’s barely May,” Smith said. “It’s a long season. Just have to stay focused and keep going one at a time”
Travis Jankowski had two hits, a walk and scored three runs from the leadoff spot for New York. He reached on a fielder's choice in the fourth, stole second, took third on an overthrow and scored on Mark Canha's sacrifice fly.
RED ABOUT BLUES
Mets pitcher Max Scherzer was ejected during the sixth inning of the nightcap for arguing balls and strikes with plate umpire Jeremy Riggs from the bench. Scherzer, who didn’t pitch in either game, shouted profanities at Riggs before storming off down the clubhouse tunnel.
The ejection came a day after plate umpire Chad Fairchild apologized on the field to Mets starter Chris Bassitt for missing a strike call.
Fairchild appeared to gift Atlanta a run in Tuesday’s opener when he ruled from third base that Dansby Swanson’s double was fair, even though replays showed the ball skipping in the dirt just outside the bag. The play was not reviewable because it happened in front of Fairchild.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Braves: RHP William Woods was called up as the team's 27th man for the doubleheader.
Mets: RHP Trevor May was placed on the 15-day injured list with right triceps inflammation. RHP Adonis Medina was recalled from Triple-A. ... RHP Yoan López has appealed his three-game suspension from Major League Baseball for throwing several pitches inside during the ninth inning against Philadelphia on Sunday after a teammate was plunked.
UP NEXT
Braves RHP Ian Anderson (2-1, 4.66) faces Mets RHP Tylor Megill (4-0, 1.93) in the finale of the four-game series Wednesday.
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