Braves hit hard late by Mets
Six Atlanta pitchers had combined to hold the New York Mets to two hits and help stake the Braves to a 2-0 lead through seven innings of their Grapefruit League opener Friday in Port St. Lucie, Fla. That’s when, as Braves manager Brian Snitker aptly put it, “Spring training broke out.”
Miguel Socolovich’s bid for a bullpen job got off to a rocky start when he was charged with all the runs in the eighth inning of the Braves’ 6-2 loss at First Data Field. The righthander gave up three walks and three hits, including a two-run double by Zach Borenstein. Socolovich recorded only two outs, and the last two runs scored on bases-loaded walks issued by Akeel Morris before Morris got the final out of the inning. Other bullpen candidates fared considerably better for the Braves, including Anyelo Gomez, a Rule 5 draft pick from the New York Yankees in December. Gomez pitched a perfect fifth inning with a popup, a groundout and a strikeout, displaying good command while topping out at an impressive 98 mph. “That’s kind of what you’re looking for at the back end (of the bullpen), so that was good to see,” Snitker said. “Pretty impressive. And I heard that coming in, that this guy’s got a big arm. Just watching him throw sides and everything, I was anxious to see him in a game and it was really good.” Gomez, who will turn 25 on March 1, had a 1.92 ERA in a combined 38 games (one start) at four minor-league levels in 2017, racking up 87 strikeouts, 21 walks and only two homers allowed in 70 1/3 innings for a strikeout rate of 11.1 per nine innings. Braves left-hander Rex Brothers pitched a perfect seventh inning with two strikeouts, lefty Sam Freeman pitched a perfect inning with one strikeout, and high-level starting-pitcher prospect Kolby Allard made his major league spring debut and gave up a leadoff walk before getting out of the sixth inning unscathed. Allard got a big assist from journeyman outfielder Xavier Avery, who made a diving catch in right and threw to first base to double up the runner who reached on Allard’s walk.
Matt Wisler started for the Braves and pitched two solid innings, allowing two hits and no walks with one strikeout.
Zach Wheeler started and worked an inning for the Mets, striking out two and giving up a hit after new manager Mickey Callaway told reporters he would treat the right-hander as a starter.
GOLF
› CHONBURI, Thailand — Jessica Korda shot a course-record 62 Friday at the Honda LPGA Thailand and led by four strokes after the second round. The American fired eight birdies and finished with an eagle to move to 16 under par, a 36-hole record for the event. “That was a pretty good round, pretty special,” Korda said. “Just had a lot of fun doing it.” Brittany Lincicome, another golfer from the United States, shot a 65 and was second at 12 under at Siam Country Club’s Pattaya Old Course.
Minjee Lee (67) was third and a shot behind Lincicome, with
Lexi Thompson (68) another stroke back to give U.S. golfers three of the top four spots.
› DOHA, Qatar — Adrian Otaegui birdied his last three holes of the second round for a 6-under-par 66 and a one-shot lead Friday at the Qatar Masters. Otaegui was 11 under overall at the European Tour event and clear of four players tied for second at Doha Golf Club. Overnight joint leaders Gregory Havret and Eddie Pepperell shot 69s to move to 10 under, and they were joined by Stephen Gallacher and Erik van Rooyen, with each shooting a 66.