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New York Mets Offense Explodes To Take Rubber Game Against Atlanta Braves

ByKenneth Teape|

With Dillon Gee struggling once again, the New York Mets looked doomed as they were in an early hole against the Atlanta Braves. But, then something unexpected happened as their offense exploded to get the comeback victory and series win over their NL East rivals.

With an opportunity to take yet another home series, theNew York Metsoffense came up huge in defeating the Atlanta Braves Sunday afternoon. It was an up and down ride and exciting game, as the Mets fell behind big early on but kept clawing as their offense exploded in the middle innings. It was important too asDillon Geegot crushed once again.

Gee, who was returning from the bereavement list after the death of his grandmother, was given a spot start Sunday and did nothing to give the Mets confidence in going to him again. Gee was torpedoed right from the start, as the Braves jumped on him early and often.

The first batter of the game,Jace Peterson, got on base with a single and would come around to score two batters later on aFreddie Freemansingle. Peterson would strike again in the second inning, as he delivered a three-run homer, his second round tripper of the season.

Things wouldn’t get any better in the third inning, as Gee surrendered yet another run, this time off the bat ofKelly Johnson, who singled inJuan Uribe. The fourth inning looked to be much more promising, but the wheels fell off after Gee got his second strikeout of the inning.

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After a walk to Freeman put men on first and second base, the Braves struck again.Nick Markakisdelivered a ground-rule double to score Peterson. Freeman would come home next, as a Uribe infield single plated him.

That would be all for Gee on the afternoon, as he finished the afternoon with an ugly pitching line of 3 ⅔ innings pitched, 11 hits and one walk allowed that resulted in eight runs to go with four strikeouts. His season ERA now sits at an unsightly 5.90 ERA and it is unclear when, or if, he will be getting another start in the near future.

But, for how poor Gee was starting, the bullpen was strong in relief of him.Sean Gilmartinwas the hero, throwing two scoreless innings to calm things down for the Mets. He was able to contain a Braves offense that was rolling, keeping the Mets in the game. For his efforts, he earned his first win in the major leagues.

Gilmartin was not the only reliever to have success, asBobby Parnellpitched his first complete inning since coming back from injury andHansel Roblesbounced back nicely after his rough outing yesterday.Jeurys Familiathen came in and shut things down at the end, earning his 19th save of the season by getting the last four outs of the game.

While the bullpen was a big factor in getting the win, without the Mets bats waking up their efforts would have went for nothing. The Mets scored five of the first six innings of the game to keep pace with the Braves hot start and then overtake them in the middle innings. Every starter had at least one hit to go with at least one run scored or RBI as everyone contributed today when they needed it most.

At the top of the lineup,Curtis GrandersonandJuan Lagaresboth had strong days getting three hits each. Lagares delivered the big blow in the sixth inning, putting the Mets ahead for good with a three-run home run, his third of the season.

Jun 14, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets center fielder Darrell Ceciliani (1) celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a home run in the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

That was the last of four home runs that the Mets hit today, asDarrell Cecilianihit his first career home run in the fourth inning to get things rolling. Two batters later,Dilson Herrerahit his second homer of the season. Then, in the fifth inning, Travis d’Arnaud hit his third home run of the season, this one of the two-run variety asLucas Dudawas on base.

It was nice to see the Mets offense pick up the pitching staff for once, as it had been the other way around for much of the season. This Mets lineup is finally beginning to show signs of life, as they have scored at least five runs in four of the last five games since getting no-hit byChris Hestonand the San Francisco Giants.

This was the largest comeback victory for the Mets this season, as they will head into a series with the hottest team in baseball, the Toronto Blue Jays. Their offense is picking things up at the right time as they will need all the runs they can get to keep up with the high powered and red hot Blue Jays.

Next: What possible moves will the Mets make?

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