Timely hitting, stellar pitching help Mets secure series split with 4-0 win over Braves

After dropping the first two games, the Mets battled back to secure the series split with a 4-0 win over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night at Citi Field.

Here are some takeaways…

– Griffin Canning retired the first six batters he faced before allowing a leadoff single in the third — a few batters later, the righty was forced to leave with a non-contact ankle injury. Canning went down in immense pain after seemingly coming off the mound awkwardly. He stayed down for several moments before being helped off, unable to put any pressure on his leg.

Canning's been putting together a career-best season, pitching to a 3.77 ERA across 16 outings.

– Right-hander Austin Warren came on in emergency relief and he picked up right where Canning left off — allowing just one baserunner and striking out two over 2.2 terrific innings of work in his second big-league appearance of the season.

Warren's been putting together a strong year in Triple-A, posting a 3.94 ERA over 19 appearances.

– The Mets were held in check over the first three innings by Braves starter Grant Holmes, but they were able to get on the board in each of the next two frames as Tyrone Taylor lifted a sacrifice fly to right in the fourth and Pete Alonso lined up a clutch two out RBI single in the fifth.

Alonso has hit a bit of a tough stretch, but he had three knocks after being named an All-Star finalist.

– New York would tack on a few innings later against left-hander Dylan Dood thanks to three straight two-out knocks, the last of which was a Jeff McNeil two-run single to shallow center to make it a 4-0 ballgame — McNeil delivered four hits during the four-game series.

– The rest of the Mets' bullpen was spectacular behind Warren. Dedniel Núñez put together his best outing of the season, retiring all six batters he faced and striking out the side in the seventh. Ryne Stanek then delivered his third straight scoreless appearance, and Edwin Diaz closed the door in the ninth.

Overall, the bullpen allowed just two baserunners over 6.1 innings after Canning left with the injury.

– With Mark Vientos officially set to return on Friday, the Mets' infield depth continues to produce. Brett Baty reached base two more times on the night and Ronny Mauricio picked up another knock, giving him five over the last three games. Carlos Mendoza said pregame that it's possible the Mets keep Mauricio even with Baty and Vientos on the roster.

– With the Mets' second straight win and the Phillies losing to the Astros for the third straight game earlier this afternoon, New York has officially jumped back into first place in the NL East.

Game MVP(s): The bullpen

What more can be said about New York's pitching — they were absolutely spectacular on a night they desperately needed them to be.

Highlights

What's next

The Mets head to Pittsburgh to start a three-game weekend set with the Pirates.

David Peterson (5-2, 2.98 ERA) starts the opener against Mitch Keller (1-10, 4.02 ERA) at 6:40 p.m. on SNY.

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