Braves snatch defeat from jaws of victory against Mets

The Atlanta Braves came within one strike of a win on Sunday only to see a three-run lead fizzle away in another soul-crushing loss to the New York Mets.

For a moment, it looked like the Braves were going to be the team to overcome a late deficit and steal a win. Atlanta pushed across three runs in the bottom of the 8th on RBI hits by Daniel Castro and Adonis Garcia. They went to the ninth leading 7-4 and needing just three outs to snap an 11-game home losing streak.

Peter Moylan retired the first two batter on strikeouts and then gave up a double to Juan Lagares that just squirted out of Cameron Maybin's glove on a diving attempt in right centerfield. Maybin was seeing his first action in over a week due to an eye infection and narrowly missed on a highlight to end the game.

Fredi Gonzalez then lifted Moylan in favor of another right-hander in Ryan Kelly who promptly walked Curtis Granderson bringing the tying run to the plate. Daniel Murphy then launched a three-run home run into the centerfield bleachers tying the game at 7-7.

The Braves' bullpen continued to implode in the 10th as Edwin Jackson got the first two outs of the inning before a walk and a single put runners at the corners for Kevin Plawecki. Plawecki grounded to third baseman Hector Olivera who's throw to second pulled Daniel Castro off the back allowing the go-ahead run to score. Jackson then walked Lagares to load the bases and Granderson to make the score 9-7. He was replaced by Daniel Burawa who walked Murphy to make the score 10-7.

If you are keeping score, the Mets took the lead on a fielder's choice and a throwing error and added a pair of insurance runs on bases loaded walks. Addison Reed pitched around an error in the 10th to close out the win.

The Braves are mercifully off on Monday before opening a three-game set against the Toronto Blue Jays.