Mets waste deGrom’s big night

New York — With Jacob deGrom and the Mets hard-throwing bullpen missing bats at a historic pace, the NL East-leading Braves were ready to win with small ball Friday night. That's exactly what Billy Hamilton is there for — although this first contribution wasn't exactly on script.

Hamilton singled home the go-ahead run in the 14th inning for his first hit as a Brave, and Atlanta beat the Mets 2-1 for its sixth straight win despite yet another sensational two-way effort by deGrom.

The Mets tied a major league record by striking out 26 batters, including 13 by deGrom, and 21-year-old Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. became the second-youngest player with a 30-homer, 30-steal season — only Mike Trout did it younger.

DeGrom homered and struck out eight straight batters during one dominant stretch, pitching seven innings of one-run ball. He finished a punchout shy of his career high — the righty whiffed 14 and also homered to beat Miami on April 3. DeGrom became the first pitcher since at least 1900 to strike out 13 and homer in a game twice in the same season.

"Every time out, my God, that guy has got something really special in his back pocket," Braves manager Brian Snitker said.

The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner got a no-decision anyway, the 18th time in his career he's pitched one-run ball or better over seven innings and not gotten a victory. New York is just 7-5 this year when deGrom allows one or fewer earned runs.

The Mets' previous high for strikeouts as a staff was 24, achieved June 2, 2018, against the Cubs during a 14-inning game — deGrom also struck out 13 in that one.

DeGrom's eight straight strikeouts marked the best such streak in the majors this year and tied his career high. He went over 200 strikeouts in a season for the fourth time.

"That little run, I just felt like I was able to locate whatever pitch I was throwing at the time," he said.