Lindor, Mccann come up big for N.Y.
Mccann homer ties game, Lindor gets go-ahead run
James Mccann hit a tying three-run homer off Charlie Morton in the four-run seventh inning, Francisco Lindor followed four batters later, singling in the go-ahead run off A.J. Minter, and the New York Mets beat the Atlanta Braves 4-3 on Tuesday night.
Morton had pitched 202⁄3 consecutive scoreless innings before Mccann took him deep into the seats in left-center with no outs to make it 3-all. Minter (1-3) entered and gave up a oneout double to pinch-hitter Jose Peraza and a two-out single by Lindor to put the Mets up 4-3.
Ozzie Albies hit a three-run homer off New York starter Tylor Megill for the three-time defending NL East champion Braves, who fell 51⁄2 games back in the division.
Edwin Diaz recorded his 17th save in 18 chances by retiring pinch-hitters Ehire Adrianza and Pablo Sandoval on flyouts before getting Ronald Acuna Jr. to pop up in the ninth.
The Mets have occupied first place in the NL East since May 8, but they had dropped nine of 14 and have a three-game lead
over surging Washington. New York had scored one run off starting pitchers over the last six games before Mccann hit his seventh homer.
Drew Smith (3-1) earned the win after facing five batters in the sixth.
Morton faced trouble in the seventh when Dominic Smith began the inning with a single and advanced on a walk to Kevin Pillar, but the Mets, who rank last in the major leagues in runs scored, quickly rallied on Lindor’s single.
Morton allowed five hits, three runs and one walk with seven strikeouts in six-plus innings. The 37-year-old was bidding for his third straight scoreless start.
Megill gave up five hits, three runs and two walks with eight strikeouts in five innings. He allowed a two-out single in the fifth to Acuna, who advanced to third on Freddie Freeman’s single. Albies followed by going deep for the 13th time, his ball landing in the Braves’ bullpen, and Atlanta led 3-0.
Morton began the game by hitting Jeff Mcneil with a pitch. Mcneil advanced on a sacrifice bunt, but got no farther as Morton retired the next 10 batters he faced. Michael Conforto singled with one out in the fourth for the Mets’ first hit, and Morton struck out Smith to end the inning.
Megill, who struck out the side in the first, escaped a jam in the second.