Queens, NY——-Atlanta’s Max Fried and two relievers nearly made history, holding the Mets hitless through 8 2/3 innings until J.D. Martinez’s late homer dashed the no-hit bid in the Braves’ 4-1 victory over New York on Saturday.
Braves manager Brian Snitker hailed the achievement as “something pretty special” for the pitching staff, despite the narrow miss. Fried dominated with seven hitless innings, backed by Joe Jiménez’s eighth-inning performance and Raisel Iglesias’s strong start to the ninth.
Martinez’s homer, the only hit allowed, marked a bittersweet moment for the Braves, but catcher Travis d’Arnaud found humor, saying, “Giving it up with a homer is better than an infield single.”
Centerfielder Michael Harris II, who made a crucial catch earlier in the game, expressed hope that the ball might stay in play long enough for Ronald Acuña Jr. to make a play. However, Martinez’s hit proved decisive.
Despite the tension, Jiménez and Iglesias claimed they were unaware of the no-hit bid until after the game. Iglesias, speaking through an interpreter, admitted, “I didn’t” know it was happening.
The hits by Martinez and Harrison Bader allowed the Mets to avoid being no-hit for the eighth time in franchise history, a relief for Martinez, who said, “We didn’t want to get no-hit.”
The Braves, who haven’t thrown a no-hitter since 1994, have endured a prolonged drought. Fried, who walked three and struck out five, led the charge with a stellar performance.
Atlanta’s offensive support came from Orlando Arcia’s two-run homer and Michael Harris II’s three hits, including an RBI single.
The game also marked rookie Christian Scott’s (0-1) first home start for the Mets, who gave up three runs in six-plus innings.
In injury news, Braves catcher Sean Murphy continues his recovery from a left oblique injury suffered in the season opener. He remains unable to face live pitching but reports feeling good.
UP NEXT:
The three-game series concludes Sunday night, when Braves RHP Bryce Elder (1-1, 5.28 ERA) starts against Mets RHP Luis Severino (2-2, 2.93 ERA).