Mets pass Braves in NL wild-card battle, Senga gets injured again, Martinez hits slam in 8-4 win

NEW YORK — The New York Mets have passed the Braves in the battle for the first wild-card spot in the NL. They defeated Atlanta 8-4 on Friday night thanks to a seven-run third-inning grand slam by JD Martinez, but Kodai Senga also suffered an injury in his season debut.

Martinez’s ninth slam was the first of three long balls in the third inning against Charlie Morton (5-6), who also allowed a two-run homer by Mark Vientos and a solo drive by Francisco Alvarez.

New York (55-48) won its fifth straight game and moved to a season-high seven games above .500 after its 11th win in 14 games. The Mets had trailed the Braves by 10 games on June 2 and are 31-13 since then.

Atlanta (54-48) has lost six straight games, a season record.

Senga’s injury-delayed season debut was cut short after 5 1/3 innings and 73 pitches when he strained his left calf.

After prompting Austin Riley to leap to lead off the sixth, Senga (1-0) pointed to Pete Alonso and began sprinting off the mound to make room for the first baseman. The 31-year-old right-handed pitcher grabbed his left calf and bounced a few steps before falling.

Senga, who missed the first 102 games with a right shoulder capsule injury, allowed just two hits — including Adam Duvall’s two-run homer in the second inning — and struck out nine. He retired his final 10 batters. Senga was runner-up to Arizona’s Corbin Carroll for NL Rookie of the Year last season and went 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA in 29 starts after signing a five-year, $75 million contract.

Duvall also homered off Jake Diekman in the ninth. Marcell Ozuna homered off Eric Orze in the sixth.

Morton allowed seven runs — five earned — and six hits in a season-low 2 2/3 innings. Riley lost Tyrone Taylor’s leadoff grounder to third for an error.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Braves: OF Michael Harris II (left hamstring strain) said he’s feeling better after a setback in his recovery this month. Harris hopes to return soon after becoming eligible Aug. 14.

Mets: RHP Dedniel Núñez (right pronator strain) was placed on the 15-day injured list. Manager Carlos Mendoza said Núñez, a rookie who is 2-0 with a 2.43 ERA and one save, underwent an MRI that revealed no ligament damage.

NEXT ONE

Mets RHP Tylor Megill (2-4, 5.08 ERA) returns to the majors on Saturday to face Braves RHP Spencer Schwellenbach (3-5, 4.62 ERA).

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