ATLANTA — Chris Sale wasn’t even nice enough to leave Wednesday’s game after eight innings with his team ahead by five runs.
Instead, the Braves ace — and reigning National League Cy Young Award winner — wanted the complete-game shutout. He got two outs in the ninth, but in what could be deemed the Mets’ only success of the night, Brandon Nimmo blooped a single and Sale was removed at 116 pitches.
The Mets could have used a rainout. In a feeble performance, they managed only five hits (all of them singles) against Sale in a 5-0 loss at Truist Park that extended their season-high losing streak to five games.
Chris Sale dominated the Mets on June 18, 2025. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Matt Olson (28) celebrates his solo home run against the New York Mets in the seventh inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, June 18, 2025. AP
The Mets, who fell to 18-19 on the road this season, have lost 25 of their past 35 games against the Braves dating to the 2022 season.
Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr (13) reacts after hitting a leadoff home run against the New York Mets during the first inning at Truist Park. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Paul Blackburn, in his second start of the season, lasted 3 ²/₃ innings and allowed four runs, one unearned, on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts. He was removed after 73 pitches.
The right-hander moved into the rotation this week after Kodai Senga was placed on the injured list with a strained right hamstring. Blackburn had pitched twice from the bullpen after starting as part of a six-man rotation two weeks ago against the Dodgers.
Ronald Acuña Jr. smashed Blackburn’s first pitch of the night over the center field fence to give the Braves a 1-0 lead. The inning got worse for Blackburn, who surrendered a single to Alex Verdugo and walked Austin Riley. With runners on second and third and one out, Blackburn threw a pitch in the dirt. Luis Torrens used his mask to stop the ball, resulting in a catcher’s balk — officially charged an error — that brought in Verdugo. Marcell Ozuna followed with a sacrifice fly that placed the Mets in a 3-0 hole.
Mets starting pitcher Paul Blackburn (58) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Truist Park on June 18, 2025. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr (13) hits a lead-off home run against the New York Mets during the first inning at Truist Park. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Ozzie Albies doubled in the fourth and after Michael Harris II was retired on a groundout, moving the runner to third, José Buttó replaced Blackburn. Buttó threw a wild pitch that brought in Albies, widening the Mets deficit to 4-0.
Matt Olson launched a solo homer in the seventh against Ty Adcock that extended the Braves lead to 5-0.