Soroka Shines, Riley Rakes, Camargo’s Clutch in Braves 6-2 win over Mets

Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

When you beat a CY Young Winner two straight times head to head in his home park, you get honored in meme form.

Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Even deGrom knows it is true!

The Braves beat the Mets 6-2 on Friday Night behind a much needed dominant start from Mike Soroka and timely hitting from the bottom of the order.

The Braves got the scoring started off in the top of the second. Nick Markakis connected for a double to lead off the inning, and then Austin Riley launched a 98-mph fastball into the New York night for his 13th home run to give the Braves a 2-0 lead. Though Riley has been struggling as of late, he consistently reminds everyone why he is such a luxury to have in the lineup.

The Braves would add another run in the top of the third on a Josh Donaldson sacrifice fly to make the score 3-0. The Mets would finally get on the scoreboard with a Pete Alonso solo home run in the bottom of the fourth. Alonso continues torturing the Braves every chance he can get, though thankfully there were no runners on base this time.

Both deGrom and Soroka cruised through the fifth and sixth innings, and Soroka looked as if he could work late into the game until he ran into trouble in the seventh. Three singles, with a strikeout mixed in, made the score 3-2 with two runners on and one out. The Braves then brought in the Amazin’ Anthony Swarzak. Though he allowed an infield single to J.D. Davis, Swarzak got Braves killers Jeff McNeil and Pete Alonso to strikeout and line out to preserve the lead.

Narrowly escaping another blown lead, the Braves bounced back in the top of the eighth. With the bases loaded and two outs, Johan Camargo again did what he does best, lining a bases clearing double into the left-center field gap. The Braves would take a 6-2 lead, and then A.J. Minter and Luke Jackson would secure the win over the final two innings.

Mike Soroka arguably had his best start since May, going 6.1 innings while allowing seven hits, two earned runs, zero walks, and four strikeouts. While he still surrendered a good amount of hits, he seemed fully in control of the game besides the one mistake to Alonso. Hopefully, this will be the start of another dominant stretch for Soroka that the Atlanta staff definitely needs.

Overall, this was a big win for Atlanta for several reasons. Coming off one of the worst losses of the year, the Braves were able to bounce back and beat one of the best pitchers in the game. Add in the fact the Phillies again lost to the Marlins, and Atlanta is back in front by 5.5 games in the NL East. With Atlanta facing two more tough starters on Saturday and Sunday, this was a huge first step toward securing another series win.

Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

That’s right deGrom, soak it all in and embrace it. That so called “fluke” loss to Soroka last year just turned into a two-game losing streak for you in your home park.