Seven-run third powers Mets to 8-4 rout of Braves

A seven-run third inning, highlighted by a JD Martinez grand slam gave the Mets the win and the first Wild Card position on Friday night.

However, the 8-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field was tempered when Kodai Senga suffered an injury in his season debut.

Senga threw 73 pitches and his final effort was rewarded Austin Riley to pop up on the infield. The 31-year-old came off the mound to make way for Peter Alonso to make the catch and then went down, clutching his left calf and pulling a face of pain. After a visit from the trainer, he left the game, walked away himself but appeared to favor his left leg. The Mets announced it was a left calf strain.

Senga (1-0), making his first start since Sept. 27, looked sharp, striking out nine in 5 1/3 innings. The 2023 All-Star surrendered two runs on two hits and a walk. Adam Duvall hit a home run off a cutter in the second inning to give Atlanta a 2-0 lead.

New York (55-48) responded emphatically with its biggest inning of the season en route to its fifth straight win. The Mets lead Atlanta (54-48) by 1/2 game in the standings and are 31-12 in their last 43 since falling to a season low of 11 games below .500 on June 2. The Braves have lost six straight.

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Martinez hit an opposite field grand slam to give the Mets a 4-2 lead in the third inning. Mark Vientos added a two-run shot and Francisco Alvarez capped the outburst with a 409-foot solo shot to left. All the homers came from Charlie Morton, who gave up seven runs (five earned) on six hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Newcomer Eric Orze relieved Senga and got the first outs of his career in his second outing. He pitched 1 2/3 innings, giving up a run on a Marcel Ozuna homer, his 29th. Duvall hit his second homer in the ninth inning Jake Diekman.

Harrison Bader missed his third straight game due to a sore ankle. Manager Carlos Mendoza said the matter did not require a visit to the casualty list.

The Mets have won at least five games in a row this season.

Statistics of the game

The Mets have hit two grand slams this season, both against the Braves. The first was Tyrone Taylor out Luis GuillormeSo Martinez’s homer was the first slam by a real pitcher this year. It was the ninth slam of Martinez’s career, and he has hit one for five different teams.

According to the SNY broadcast, four players have slam-banged for six teams, including Gary Sheffieldwho hit one for the Mets. The other three are Fred McGriff, Devon White And Mark Reynolds.

Player of the game

Senga threw 52 of 73 pitches for strikes in what was an encouraging debut before the injury, striking out the first batter he faced, Jarred Kelenicwith his ghost fork. According to Baseball Prospectus, the average recovery time for a calf injury is 34 days. The median recovery time is 25 days.

On deck

Tylor Megill (2-4, 5.08 ERA), back in the rotation with the injury to Christian Scotwill try to get back on track. In five starts in June, his ERA was 7.43. The Braves are going with the right-handed Spencer Schwellenbach (3-5, 4.62 ERA). The game starts at 4:10 p.m. The game will be broadcast on SNY.