On Monday evening, June 24, in a matchup pitting two National League East foes against each other, Spencer Schwellenbach delivered a dominant, seven-inning pitching performance to secure the victory for the Atlanta Braves. The win came at the expense of the New York Mets, who have been stumbling lately. The Braves prevailed 3–2 in front of the Mets’ home crowd, marking the first game in a four-game series between the division rivals.
Schwellenbach, the Braves’ starting pitcher, turned in a composed outing — his longest of the season — allowing just two runs on four hits, walking only one batter while striking out four. He struck out of trouble consistently, retiring the first eight batters he faced. Up until the sixth inning, he had kept every Mets batter at or below first base, despite giving up a couple of hits earlier. In that sixth frame, however, he issued his lone walk to Brandon Nimmo with two outs. Following the walk, Juan Soto hammered a two-run home run to left-center that tied the game, providing New York with a glimmer of life at that point. Despite that hiccup, Schwellenbach exited after seven innings having limited the damage and passed the baton to the bullpen with the game still within reach.
The Braves chipped away early. In the bottom of the second inning, they took the lead when Michael Harris II hit a sacrifice fly that scored the runners from third base. This initial offense put the pressure on the Mets right from the start. Then, in the third inning, Ronald Acuña Jr. delivered another offensive blow for the Braves — a solo home run that extended Atlanta’s lead. That same inning also saw Sean Murphy fly out to bring in another run via sacrifice fly, pushing the Braves to a 3–0 advantage. By manufacturing runs through sacrifices and timely hitting, Atlanta demonstrated a disciplined offensive approach that paid dividends.
Acuña finished the game with two hits in five at-bats and stole a base as well. His performance extended his hot streak — he is now hitting an astonishing .396 since returning from a torn left ACL on May 23. His presence in the lineup has proved instrumental for Atlanta’s offense, and his resilience has been a major storyline for the team.
Defensively, the Braves showed grit even as they stranded 11 runners and managed just one hit in 11 opportunities with runners in scoring position. Yet, their productivity in those few key moments, particularly with the sac flies and Acuña’s home run, was enough to carry them through. Both Matt Olson and Austin Riley also contributed two hits apiece, helping to keep the Braves’ offense moving even when they struggled to cash in on multiple baserunners.
On the Mets’ side, their offense sputtered most of the evening. Still, they managed to get on the scoreboard in the sixth inning: Soto’s aforementioned two-run blast off Schwellenbach gave New York life and narrowed the deficit to just one run. Unfortunately for the Mets, Soto later struck out with runners on the corners in the eighth inning — a moment that could have changed momentum but ultimately didn’t, as New York remained unable to rally further.
Relief pitching factored heavily late in the game. With Schwellenbach departing after seven innings, Raisel Iglesias came on in the eighth for Atlanta. He immediately ran into trouble, giving up two-out singles to Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo that threatened to tie or change the game’s complexion. That prompted the Braves to bring in reliever Dylan Lee. Lee rose to the challenge, quickly dispatching Soto on an eight-pitch duel to end the inning. He followed that by delivering a perfect ninth inning, earning his second save of the season. It also marked Atlanta’s first save since May 16 — a notable drought that Lee finally ended. His performance underscored the importance of a reliable bullpen arm in tight games.
On the Mets’ pitching side, Paul Blackburn took the loss. He was tagged for the three runs — all earned — over 4 2/3 innings, while surrendering six hits and issuing three walks and five strikeouts. Notably, both Baty and Lindor recorded two hits each, offering signs of offense that ultimately fell short of supporting a win for New York.
In the bigger picture, this loss marks a tough stretch for the Mets, who have lost nine of their last ten games. Their slump has dropped them to 1½ games behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East standings. That’s a steep fall from their position just under two weeks ago — on June 12, they held a 5½-game lead in the division. The sudden descent reflects a concerning downturn for a team that had contended strongly earlier in the season.
Conversely, the Braves walked away from Monday’s contest with momentum. They have now won five of their past seven games overall, including four consecutive victories over the Mets dating back to last Tuesday. The Braves’ recent success points to their growing confidence and ability to execute late in the season, while the Mets are left searching for answers amid a slide. The upcoming games in this series will be critical for both clubs — Atlanta seeking to continue its roll, and New York striving for a turnaround.
Game Atmosphere and Context
Monday night’s matchup at Citi Field carried extra weight for these two longstanding National League East rivals. While divisional games are always charged affairs, this series opened at a moment when the standings have shifted dramatically. The Mets, once holding a comfortable division lead earlier in June, have watched that advantage wither. They now head into this series under pressure, yearning to arrest their slump. Meanwhile, the Braves are surging, fueled by timely hitting and strong pitching. Spencer Schwellenbach’s start embodied that confidence — youngsters on the mound can inspire belief, and his dominance served notice that Atlanta has depth and poise even beyond its established veterans.
Spencer Schwellenbach’s Breakout Start
Rising through the Braves’ system, Schwellenbach quickly solidified his reputation as a reliable arm capable of shutting down potent lineups — and Monday night was perhaps his strongest outing yet at the major league level. Over seven innings, he allowed just four hits and one walk, all while striking out four. That’s quietly efficient — limiting baserunners, avoiding big innings, and allowing his team to play with a lead. Retiring 15 of the first 16 Mets he faced speaks to his command and confidence in facing a lineup that includes potent hitters. His only blemish was the sixth-inning walk to Brandon Nimmo, followed by Soto’s two-run homer. But credit where due: Schwellenbach battled back from that hiccup and closed out the inning to earn his sixth win of the year (he’s now 6–4 on the season). Such outings mark turning points in young pitchers’ careers — they build trust from managers and the bullpen, and give the team faith they can win when he pitches.
Offensive Highlights: Sac Flies & Power Hitting
Atlanta’s offense in this game could be summarized by two concepts: smart, situational batting — exemplified by Michael Harris II’s and Sean Murphy’s sac flies — and raw power, via Acuña’s homer. In the second inning, Harris’s sacrifice fly scored the game’s first run, giving the Braves an immediate boost. Then Acuña — still finding his groove post-ACL injury — continued to dazzle. His solo shot in the third inning extended the lead to 2–0, then Murphy’s sac fly later in that inning made it 3–0. These were educated, small-ball runs — they came by advancing runners and making the most of pressure situations. Such situational hitting shows the mental side of Atlanta’s offense; in late-game situations, that type of baseball often separates winners from also-rans.
Acuña’s presence in the lineup continues to be massive. He’s batting .396 since returning from ACL surgery on May 23, which not only shows his physical recovery but also mental readiness. His confidence at the plate — and willingness to take extra bases, as shown by his stolen base Monday night — sends a signal: he’s back, and he’s dangerous. For a lineup already deep with talent, having Acuña thriving again gives Atlanta a formidable edge as they move through the summer.
Mets Fight Back Late
New York didn’t roll over. In the bottom of the sixth, after Schwellenbach walked Nimmo, Soto’s 413-foot homer gave them a chance. That two-run shot made it 3–2, injecting life into the Mets’ dugout and their fans. But here’s where baseball’s unpredictability struck: they had more chances to tie — most notably in the eighth inning, with two on and two outs, and Soto again at the plate. But Yankees? No. I mean Mets? No. Sorry — not Yankees. In that spot, Soto struck out on an eight-pitch sequence to end the at-bat. Had he connected, the game probably turns 3–3. Instead, the Mets squashed any late rally by sending just one more batter to the plate before Lee took over and slammed the door.
Bullpen & Closer Shenanigans
After the offense and starting pitching set the stage, both bullpens were asked to finish the job. For Atlanta, Raisel Iglesias came in the eighth and allowed two-out singles to Lindor and Nimmo — suddenly, tying runs were on base. The Braves responded fast, yanking Iglesias and going to Dylan Lee. Lee, however, was unshakeable: he fanned Soto on just eight pitches, a micro-duel within the drama of the frame. Then he took the mound in the ninth and closed everything cleanly — no baserunners, perfect execution. His save was his second of the season, and it ended a nearly month-long lull for Atlanta closers (last save was May 16). That kind of late-inning dominance is rare and essential in tight games like this one; Lee’s performance deserves praise.
On the Mets’ side, Paul Blackburn — a lefty — took the loss. He lasted 4 2/3 innings, gave up three runs on six hits, walked three, and struck out five. That kept the game within reach but didn’t give his team much of a platform. The bullpen behind him didn’t allow much either, effectively preserving a low-scoring game — but New York’s hitters couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities. Baty and Lindor added two hits each, showing flashes of offense, yet the Mets as a team managed just four hits and two runs.
What This Means in the Division
With this win, Atlanta has surged behind a wave of momentum: five wins in their last seven games, and an impressive four consecutive victories over the Mets since last Tuesday. That sweep sequence only adds psychological pressure on New York, which watched its once-dominant lead shrink painfully — the Mets held a 5 ½ game lead in the NL East as recently as June 12, but their collapse in June has dropped them to 1 ½ behind the Philadelphia Phillies. They’ve lost nine of their last ten games. It’s hard to win a 162-game season on June dominance alone — consistency over time wins titles. Right now, the Mets are scrambling to stop a skid that could define their season.
For the Braves, this result reinforces their trajectory as real contenders in the East. They’re peaking at the right time — their pitching, hitting, and bullpen are clicking. Acuña’s return to form, combined with sturdy starts from guys like Schwellenbach and reliable late-inning arms like Lee, is the formula of a playoff-caliber team.
Looking Ahead
The series has just begun, and there are still three games remaining. New York’s urgency will intensify, as will Atlanta’s confidence. Managers will make strategic decisions — bullpen usage, starting rotations, defensive alignments — based on how each team approaches the rest of the week. Roster moves could come into play: the Mets might shake up matchups or send struggling pitchers to the bullpen, while Atlanta might ride the wave and keep their lineup intact.
One thing’s for sure: Monday night’s outcome was more than just a single win; it set the tone. Atlanta showed it can beat a division rival on the road in a tight game. The Mets showed that even with star players like Soto and Lindor, they aren’t immune to slumps, where timely hits don’t materialize and the bats go quiet at inopportune moments.
In all, Monday’s 3–2 victory for the Braves was shaped by a strong outing from Spencer Schwellenbach, early run production through sacrifices and homer power, a late but insufficient fight from the Mets anchored by Juan Soto, and clutch bullpen work — all set against a backdrop of shifting divisional standings and high-stakes ramifications.
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