Francisco Lindor’s grand slam and six RBIs lead Mets past Braves 7-5
Francisco Lindor hit a grand slam and drove in six runs to lead the New York Mets to a 7-5 victory over the Atlanta Braves on May 13, 2024, according to MLB’s official game summary. The win extended New York’s lead in the National League East to 2.5 games.
Lindor’s historic performance
The Mets’ shortstop recorded his third career grand slam in the fifth inning, capitalizing on a bases-loaded situation against Braves starter Max Fried. Lindor’s 12th home run of the season accounted for four of his six RBIs, while he also added a double and a stolen base, per ESPN’s game recap. His 14 total bases marked a career high.
Braves’ late-game rally falls short
Atlanta staged a comeback in the ninth inning, scoring three runs on a Josh Donaldson RBI double and a Marcell Ozuna two-run homer. However, Mets closer Edwin Díaz struck out Austin Riley to preserve the lead, according to CBS Sports. The Braves, who entered the game atop the NL East, saw their 10-game winning streak snapped.
Impact on playoff aspirations
The victory bolstered New York’s playoff prospects as they improved to 28-18 on the season. Lindor’s performance also placed him among the NL’s top hitters, ranking fourth in batting average (.321) and third in WAR (2.8) through May 13, per FanGraphs. The Mets’ manager, Buck Showalter, praised Lindor’s “clutch hitting” in a post-game interview with The New York Times.
Broader implications for the NL East
The loss widened the gap between the Mets and Braves in the NL East, with Atlanta now 1.5 games behind New York. The outcome also highlighted the Mets’ improved offensive output, which ranks 10th in the league with a 4.25 runs per game average, according to Baseball-Reference. Analysts note that Lindor’s consistency this season has been a key factor in the team’s success.