Jose Reyes Leads The Mets To A 4-3 Win Over The Braves

The Braves had their chances to beat New York in the first game of the three-game series, but Atlanta couldn't overcome a rough start from Jair Jurrjens and another outstanding offensive performance from Jose Reyes, as they fell 4-3 to the Mets.

Jurrjens struggled with control all night, walking a season high five batters while recording only three strikeouts and leaving numerous pitches over the middle of the plate. 

The Mets got to work early on Jurrjens, scoring in the first inning. Reyes led off with a single and then stole second. Jurrjens walked Willie Harris and then gave up a single to Carlos Beltran to score Reyes and give New York an early 1-0 lead. 

Atlanta tied it in the second, as David Ross singled with two-outs against Mets starter Jon Niese and advanced to second on a wild pitch from Niese. Joe Mather fisted a single to right field, and Carlos Beltran bobbled it trying to make a throw, allowing Ross to score from second and tie the game at one apiece.

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The tie would not last for long, as New York got back on the offensive in the third. Jose Reyes led off with another single and advanced to second on a single from Harris. That put runners on first and second, and then the Mets executed a double steal to move the runners up to second and third. Daniel Murphy walked two batters later to load the bases for Angel Pagan.

Pagan ripped a single to right, scoring Reyes and giving the Mets a 2-1 lead. Lucas Duda popped out to center but it was deep enough to score Harris, upping the Mets lead to 3-1.

The score would stay that way until the sixth, where Jose Reyes would hurt the Braves yet again. Ruben Tejada drew a walk from Jurrjens to begin the inning, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Niese. Reyes followed with a single left-center, scoring Tejada from second to give the Mets a 4-1 lead.

Jurrjens walked Willie Harris next, and that would be the end of his day. His line was 5.1 innings, eight hits, four runs (all earned), with five walks and three strikeouts. He threw 104 pitches, but only 63 for strikes, showing how much he struggled with control.

George Sherrill came in to relieve Jurrjens and got out of the inning unscathed.

Atlanta missed a major chance in the seventh inning to do some damage, but only came out of the inning with one run to show for it. Gonzalez singled with one out, and advanced to second on a passed ball. Ross doubled to left field, scoring Gonzalez and cutting the deficit to 4-2.

Pedro Beato replaced Niese at this point, and immediately walked Joe Mather. Beato was pulled for lefty Tim Byrdak, and Atlanta had runners on first and second with one out. Pinch hitter Brian McCann struck out looking and Diory Hernandez struck out swinging to end any chances of the Braves getting any closer in the seventh.

The Braves almost tied the game in the eighth inning, narrowly missing back-to-back homers. Dan Uggla successfully homered, knocking one just over the wall in left off Mets reliever Jason Isringhausen to make it a 4-3 game. Chipper Jones was next and crushed a ball to deep right field. Beltran however made a leaping grab into the wall, as Chipper missed a homer by a couple of feet.

Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth inning, and loaded the bases on two walks and a hit batsman. He escaped the jam by striking out Tejada on three pitches.

Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez entered in the bottom of the ninth and recorded his 19th save.

Up next:

Tim Hudson takes on Dillon Gee in the second game of the series tomorrow night.