Lindor Homers, Mets Rout Braves
NEW YORK (AP) — Francisco Lindor, James McCann and Jonathan Villar hit three of the Mets' season-high five homers, Taijuan Walker pitched five scoreless innings in his return from the injured list and New York routed Atlanta 13-2 Saturday night as word spread that Braves star Marcell Ozuna had been arrested.
Ozuna was charged with aggravated assault strangulation and misdemeanor battery/family violence, according to Fulton County Jail records in Georgia. The 30-year-old outfielder was booked Saturday by the Sandy Springs Police Department, and an apparent photo of his arrest was posted by a user on Twitter.
Ozuna, who led the NL with 18 homers last year, was placed on the injured list Friday by the Braves with two dislocated fingers on his left hand. He re-signed with Atlanta in February on a $65 million, four-year deal.
Brandon Drury and Billy McKinney piled on with homers during the Mets' seven-run sixth inning. McKinney was playing his third game for New York after being acquired this week from Milwaukee.
McCann had four hits and lifted his batting average from .197 to .221. The injury-depleted Mets finished with 13 hits and topped three homers in a game for the first time this season.
"That's something we haven't had all year," manager Luis Rojas said. "We haven't hit for power. We've been walking, getting our singles, and that's how we've been manufacturing runs. But the homers hit tonight, that's pleasant to see."
Lindor connected in the seventh, his fourth homer since being traded by Cleveland in January and signing a $341 million, 10-year deal with New York.
Lindor raised his average to .191 with two hits, snapping a 1-for-17 slide. Booed frequently at Citi Field this month, he said before the game he understood fan frustrations and was working fervently to fix his swing.
Walker (4-1) had been out since May 17 with left side tightness but returned in top form, striking out eight while allowing two hits and a walk. The right-hander threw 80 pitches and slimmed his ERA to 1.84 over nine starts since signing a a $23 million, three-year contract with the Mets as a free agent.
NL East-leading New York has won four straight despite having 16 players on the injured list, improving to 25-20.
"We're in that dugout, we're together, we're united, we have our head held high," Villar said via translator. "We have a lot of young guys in there who want to do well, who have that hunger to do well."
Atlanta dropped to 24-26. The Braves haven't had a winning record all season.
After Friday's series opener was postponed by rain, the skies cleared in time Saturday for the teams to play on a soggy but manageable field. The temperature at first pitch was 51 degrees, and showers forecast throughout the weekend held off long enough for the clubs to get the game in.
Braves starter Ian Anderson (4-2) allowed four runs in four innings. The 23-year-old from Clifton Park, New York, was trying to become the first Empire State native to beat the Mets and Yankees on the road in the same season. He won in the Bronx on April 21.
Villar homered right into the home run apple in straightaway center field leading off the fifth.
"Definitely an outing I want to put behind me, but it's going to happen," Anderson said.
OZUNA'S ARREST
Braves manager Brian Snitker said he learned of Ozuna's arrest after the game.
"The Braves have made a statement. I stand by that and that's all I know," Snitker said.
Atlanta said it learned of the arrest Saturday and immediately alerted the commissioner's office.
"The Braves fully support Major League Baseball's policy on domestic violence which stresses to the fullest that our society cannot and will not tolerate domestic violence in any form," the team said. "Until the investigation is completed, we will have no further comment and all inquiries into the matter should be referred to the Office of the Commissioner."
GLOVELY
Both teams flashed impressive leather early. In the first inning, Mets catcher Tomás Nido threw out Ronald Acuña Jr. trying to steal second, and Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman leaped to snare Dominic Smith's line drive. In the second, Villar ended the inning by sprawling at third base for William Contreras' line drive.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Braves: RHP Mike Soroka (torn right Achilles tendon) will be re-evaluated in two weeks before Atlanta decides whether he might return this season.
Mets: 1B Pete Alonso (right hand sprain) planned to ramp up baseball activities Saturday and Sunday, and the Mets are hoping he won't need a rehab assignment before returning. ... OF Kevin Pillar (broken nose) is healing ahead of schedule and has resumed some baseball activities. Rojas said Pillar might need to wear a protective face shield in the outfield when he returns. ... New York hopes to activate RHP Seth Lugo (right elbow surgery) on Monday, pending results of his scheduled minor league rehab appearance Saturday.
UP NEXT
Mets ace Jacob deGrom (3-2, 0.80 ERA) is set Sunday night for his second start since an IL stint due to right side tightness. The Braves plan to pitch LHP Max Fried (2-2, 4.63), though rain is in the forecast all day.
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