Charlie Culberson delivered a two-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth to help the Atlanta Braves defeat the New York Mets 4-3. Atlanta overcame a 2-0 deficit and another performance by Jacob deGrom to secure the win.
The Braves fell behind early as starter Max Fried had an eventful first inning. Fried hit leadoff man Brandon Nimmo with the second pitch of the game. Asdrubal Cabrera then reached on an error by Dansby Swanson on what should have been a double play ball. After a strikeout by Michael Conforto, Fried walked Jose Bautista to load the bases. Fried then struck out Jay Bruce for the second out but then issued a bases loaded walk to Devin Mesoraco to give the Mets and early 1-0 lead.
New York added another run in the fourth when Mesoraco led off the inning with a single and came around to score on a double by Luis Guillorme to make it 2-0.
The Braves finally got on the board in the seventh when Tyler Flowers jumped on a slider from deGrom and sent it over the center field wall for a solo home run to make the score 2-1. Atlanta threatened further damage in the inning as Preston Tucker walked and moved up to third on a hit by Johan Camargo. After a strikeout by Swanson, Kurt Suzuki came on to pinch hit but popped out to shortstop Amed Rosario. Ender Inciarte then grounded out softly to second to end the threat.
Atlanta struck again in the eighth against Mets’ reliever Seth Lugo. Ozzie Albies dropped down a perfect bunt single and then moved up to third on a base hit by Freddie Freeman. Albies scored on a sacrifice fly by Nick Markakis to tie the game at 2-2. Lugo was able to escape without any further damage.
Mesoraco untied the game in the ninth when he hit an 0-2 pitch from Shane Carle into the left field bullpen for a solo home run. Lugo remained in the game for the ninth and walked Camargo to start the inning. He then got Swanson to line out to right before Culberson came to the plate and hit his first home run since September of 2016.
Bottom of the 9th. Braves down a run.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 28, 2018
Take it away, @cculberson16!#ChopOn pic.twitter.com/wwbFWnlAl5
The Mets’ bullpen spoiled another fine performance from DeGrom who was excellent again allowing five hits and one run over seven innings. He struck out eight and walked three on the afternoon. Lugo was tagged for three hits and three runs in just two innings of work.
The Braves will try to make it a doubleheader sweep tonight when Brandon McCarthy takes the mound in Game 2.