Braves vs Mets final score: Lucas Sims solid as Atlanta takes Game 1

Lucas Sims turned in a solid performance on the mound and the Atlanta Braves offense took care of the rest in an 9-2 win over the New York Mets in Game 1 of Monday’s doubleheader.

Sims took control early and held the Mets at bay going a career-high 6 2/3 innings while allowing five hits and two runs. Sims struck out six and walked just two while earning his third win of the season.

The game was scoreless until the fourth when Ozzie Albies turned on an inside pitch and drove it into the right field stands for his fifth home run of the season.

The Braves tacked on three more runs in the sixth against starter Chris Flexen. Sims got the rally started with a single back through the box for his first major league hit. Back to back walks to Ender Inciarte and Albies loaded the bases and ended Flexen’s day.

Terry Collins summoned lefty Josh Smoker from the Mets’ bullpen who promptly retired Freddie Freeman on a broken bat pop up for the first out of the inning. However, Nick Markakis followed with an opposite field double that scored Sims and Inciarte to make it 3-0. After an intentional walk to Tyler Flowers, Rio Ruiz jumped on a first pitch fastball and drove it to left for a sacrifice fly that scored Albies to make it 4-0.

Atlanta tacked on another insurance run in the seventh as Jace Peterson led off with a double and later scored on double by Inciarte to make it 5-0. That hit was No. 198 for Inciarte leaving him two away from 200 for the season.

The Mets drew closer in the seventh. Sims walked Phillip Evans to begin the inning but then retired Dominic Smith and Amed Rosario on a pair of fly outs. Juan Legares followed with his third single of the day.

Sims was replaced by Dan Winkler who allowed a two-run double by Tomas Nido to cut the lead to 5-2.

The Braves answered right back as Markakis led off the eighth with a walk and then came home on a two-run home run by Tyler Flowers to make it 7-2. Ruiz followed with a double to right and later scored on a pinch hit single by Matt Adams. Ruiz plated another run in the ninth on a sacrifice fly that scored Freeman.

Max Fried will take the hill for the Braves in Game 2. The Mets will counter with right hander Seth Lugo.