NEW YORK (AP) ― When the Mets blew an early lead by allowing five runs to the Braves on bloopers and broken bats, Justin Turner knew exactly what everyone was thinking.
“I’m sure most of the people watching the game were like ‘Here we go again,’” he said.
Turner put a stop to that by hitting his second homer of the game to put New York up for good in the fourth inning and the Mets stopped a five-game losing streak with an 11-7 victory over Atlanta on Saturday night.
Jason Bay answered the Braves’ big third with a two-run shot of his own and Josh Thole connected on a solo shot to tie it for the Mets, who banged out 16 hits to break out of a weeklong offensive funk. New York hit four homers in a game for the first time in more than a year.
“It’s like everyone says, pitching wins ballgames,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “Tonight we had a slow-pitch softball game ― we don’t win those very often.”
Dan Uggla extended his hitting streak to 27 games and Freddie Freeman ran his own to 20 for the Braves, who have lost four of six.
Jonathon Niese (11-8) gave up a season-high 10 hits, but made it through five innings. He allowed five runs and struck out six to win for the fourth time in five decisions and eighth in 11.
“He was at 90-some pitches, I didn’t want to take the chance,” Mets manager Terry Collins said. “I thought our bullpen could come in there and we could mix and match.”
White Sox beat Twins
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) ― Zach Stewart threw six sharp innings in his White Sox debut, Paul Konerko drove in two runs and Brent Lillibridge added a late two-run homer as Chicago beat the Minnesota Twins 6-1 on Saturday night.
The White Sox secured the first series win against their division rivals since 2009, and first in Minnesota since 2007.
Stewart (1-1) was called up from Triple-A Charlotte less than 24 hours before his fourth career major league start. Jake Peavy was originally scheduled to pitch opposite Carl Pavano (6-9), but the White Sox bumped the veteran right-hander to Sunday to make room for the 24-year-old Stewart.
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