A.J. Pierzynski finished a home run shy of the cycle and ignited the two-run sixth-inning that enabled the Braves to overcome the two solo home runs Williams Perez surrendered during Saturday night’s 6-4 win over the Mets at Turner Field.  Pierzynski opened the sixth inning by bouncing an opposite-field double past third base. After Andrelton Simmons and Eury Perez followed with consecutive singles, Pedro Ciriaco provided a go-ahead sacrifice fly that scored Pierzynski only after Mets catcher Travis d’Arnaud dropped the ball and injured his left elbow while applying the tag on Pierzynski’s knee.
The Mets tallied four hits during a two-run first inning and benefited from the solo home runs Curtis Granderson and d’Arnaud hit off Perez in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively. But New York’s bullpen was not able to pick up starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard, who allowed four runs — three earned — while throwing 88 pitches over four innings.
With victories in the first two games of this three-game set, the Braves claimed their first series victory since May 24 and moved within 1 1/2 games of the first-place Mets in the National League East.
Pierzynski began his three-hit night in the second inning with a one-out triple that put him in position to score when Simmons began his four-hit night with an RBI single. The 38-year-old catcher singled and scored in the two-run fourth that included Eury Perez notching his first career RBI on an infield single. After Pierzynski began the sixth by sneaking his double down the line, the Braves gained more fortune when Simmons blooped a single to shallow right and Eury Perez chopped an infield single off the plate.
For the second time in as many days, middle infield defense proved costly for the Mets. During the third inning with no outs, Braves second baseman Jace Peterson attempted to steal second base. Peterson — who was 7-for-14 in stolen base attempts before Saturday’s game — had no problem being safe on this occasion, as neither New York middle infielder moved to cover the bag and receive d’Arnaud’s throw. With the ball out in center field, Peterson had no problem jogging to third base and later scoring on Cameron Maybin’s RBI groundout to second base to tie the game.
Williams Perez looked like he was in trouble when he needed 30 pitches to complete the first inning. But the Braves right-hander then proceeded to retire 13 of the next 14 batters he faced before surrendering Granderson’s solo shot in the fifth. d’Arnaud’s leadoff homer in the sixth inning served as the final damage incurred by the starter, who entered the fifth inning having allowed just two homers over the previous 43 1/3 innings he had completed this season.
Mets catcher d’Arnaud left the game with an elbow injury after a collision at the plate with Braves catcher Pierzynski in the sixth inning. After X-rays during the game came back negative, it was determined that he hyperextended his elbow and is day to day.
Matt Harvey will take the mound on Sunday for the Mets in the finale of this three-game series. In Harvey’s one other start at Turner Field (on June 18, 2013), he won a 4-3 game and struck out 13 Atlanta hitters in the process. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. CT here on Thunder Radio.  Atlanta will counter with Julio Teheran, who has struggled to rekindle the success he had during his previous two Major League seasons. Teheran has posted a 5.68 ERA in the 12 starts he has made since limiting the Mets to one run over six innings on April 11.

Behind a four-run eighth inning, the Omaha Storm Chasers came from behind to hand the Nashville Sounds their fourth-straight home loss, 5-3 on Saturday night.

It was a historic night at beautiful First Tennessee Park as the facility reached capacity for the third-straight night. The sellout streak is a record for Nashville baseball during the PCL era (1998 – present).

Nashville fell behind 1-0 early and they did not record a hit until the fifth inning. Niuman Romero ended the cold spell with a single, but was thrown out at home trying to score from first on a Craig Gentry double. Fortunately for the Sounds, next batter Joey Wendle doubled to score Gentry and tie the game. Wendle now leads the Sounds with 27 extra-base hits, while Gentry extended his hitting streak to a season-high 10 games.

Five years to the date that Dayan Viciedo made his major league debut, he made another debut: his first game with the Sounds. The Cuban slugger went 1-for-5 in his first game, including a triple in the sixth inning. He would score on a sacrifice fly by the next batter Jason Pridie, and the Sounds led 2-1.

Chris Bassitt pitched excellent for the Sounds, surrendering just one run on three hits in his first seven innings, but he ran into some bad luck in the eighth inning.

Omaha’s first three batters in the frame reached, allowing the Storm Chasers to tie the game at two and ending Bassitt’s day. Ryan Cook came out of the bullpen and unfortunately encountered similar misfortune. Paulo Orlando reached on a bunt single, loading the bases. Next man up, Cheslor Cuthbert then delivered a massive blow, taking Cook’s fastball the other way, doubling down the right-field line. Two runs scored, both of which were charged to Bassitt who took the loss (2-6). The Storm Chasers would add another run in the frame to make it 5-2.

Scary moment in the bottom of the ninth as Alden Carrithers was hit in the head by a fastball. The Sounds utility man was ultimately fine and stayed in the game. The Sounds would add a run in the frame courtesy of a Wendle RBI single, but would leave two on base as they fell to their fourth straight defeat.

The Sounds and Storm Chasers will finish up their four-game set Sunday on Father’s Day. Sean Nolin (1-0, 1.40) gets the ball for Nashville. He will be opposed by Andy Ferguson (1-2, 5.68). The first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive baseball hats courtesy of Advanced Financial. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05.

When Matt Wisler learned on April 5 that Jace Peterson had made Atlanta’s Opening Day roster, he sent his former roommate a congratulatory message. Approximately an hour later, after learning that he had been included in the trade that sent Craig Kimbrel to San Diego, Wisler sent Peterson another message that said, simply, “We might be teammates this year.”

The former Padres products certainly made the most of their opportunity to play together on the big stage. Peterson’s two-run double in the eighth inning provided Wisler all the support he needed to celebrate the sparkling Major League debut he produced while leading the Braves to Friday night’s 2-1 win over the Mets at Turner Field.
“We talked when I got here; he promised me he’d get me a couple runs today,” Wisler said. “He pretty much helped me calm down today. He said, ‘Don’t worry about it, it’s just another game, and I’m behind you, just like last year.'”
Throughout a significant portion of last year, Peterson and Wisler roomed together while playing for Triple-A El Paso. Now they stand as just two of the multiple pieces the Braves were thrilled to gain through the two significant trades made with the Padres over the past six months.
Given their prior relationship, Peterson might have been one of the few who were not shocked to see the poise and professionalism Wisler exuded as he needed just 88 pitches to limit the Mets to one run over eight innings. Neither the surroundings nor the matchup against a very efficient Jacob deGrom deterred Wisler as he moved toward his first Major League win.
“I honestly felt more calm than I probably should have out there,” Wisler said. “I kept telling myself, ‘Don’t get too comfortable, because it’s going to burn you.'”
Wisler, ranked by MLB.com as the Braves’ No. 2 prospect, was actually so nervous that he arrived at Turner Field at around 12:15 p.m. ET on Friday. Over the next seven hours leading up to the first pitch, he evaluated scouting reports, went through his normal pregame ritual and met his teammates, many of whom had never seen him, because the Braves acquired him after the conclusion of Spring Training.  By the time Wisler opened his career by striking out Curtis Granderson, the nerves had dissipated.

“I didn’t know anything about him, other than we had traded for him,” veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski said. “He had multiple weapons and threw a lot of strikes. I know he was nervous when I was talking to him before the game. But at no point did he ever look out of place or intimidated by the moment.”
Pierzynski and the Braves were impressed with the command Wisler displayed while consistently mixing speeds and hitting his spots with his fastball, slider, curveball and changeup. He threw 63 of his 88 pitches for strikes and retired seven of the final eight batters he faced after allowing Michael Cuddyer’s RBI single in the sixth inning.
“When he is in that mode and attacking the zone and throwing all of his pitches for strikes, he’s really good,” Peterson said. “It was a good pace of the game, and I expect that a lot out of him.”

The Braves and the Mets square off  in Game 2 of their three-game series at Turner Field on Saturday night at 6:10 PM.  The Braves will pitch Williams Perez, who has not allowed an earned run in the 13 innings he has totaled over his past two starts. Perez has proven to be a welcome surprise, as he has used his sinker to consistently escape trouble. In six career starts, he has a 1.50 ERA despite surrendering a .322 on-base percentage.  The Mets look to Noah Syndergaard.  The rookie right-hander is coming off his best start of the season, during which he struck out 11 Toronto hitters and allowed just one earned run over six innings.  Thunder Radio will bring you the broadcast beginning at 6:00 PM

The Sounds and Storm Chasers were scoreless through nine innings in Friday night’s pitchers’ duel at First Tennessee Park, but Omaha scored in the tenth and secured a 1-0 win.

The neck of the guitar-shaped scoreboard at First Tennessee Park displayed zeros on both sides for nine innings. Finally in the tenth, Omaha’s designated hitter Casey Kotchman lifted a sacrifice fly to left that scored Paulo Orlando for the game’s only tally. It was the second straight one-run contest that went the Storm Chasers’ direction to open the series.

The first eight frames of the Friday night game breezed by without much offense. The pair of teams combined for 10 hits and 13 strikeouts during that time and the contest remained a scoreless tie until the tenth. The Sounds had eight chances in the first eight innings with runners in scoring position, but were hitless and had nothing to claim on the scoreboard.

Both teams compiled their best looks at breaking the tie when the ninth inning rolled around. Omaha loaded the bases with one away in their half of the frame, but a web gem stopped the threat. With the infield drawn in, leadoff man Whit Merrifield hit a sharp grounder to short that was stopped on a dive by Niuman Romero. The infielder lofted it to his double play partner at second, Joey Wendle, who zipped a throw to first escape the jam.

The Sounds got a leadoff double from Anthony Aliotti in the home half of the ninth and the first baseman was moved over to third on a sacrifice bunt. The prime scoring chance went to waste though, as the next two Nashville batters struck out.

A great deal of credit goes to the pitching staffs of both teams. Brad Mills was in search of his first win at home this season, but took a no-decision despite his team-leading seventh quality start. The left-hander tossed a season-high 107 pitches over seven scoreless innings, walking three and fanning five.

Dan Otero was good for two scoreless frames in relief, but R.J. Alvarez ended up with the loss after giving up his first run in his last nine games.

Omaha sent Buddy Baumann to the mound to make a spot start, and the southpaw turned in a sharp outing as well. He fanned six and surrendered just one hit through four shutout frames. Matt Murray (4.0 IP) and Louis Coleman (2.0 IP) followed in relief and suppressed the Sounds over the next six frames to secure the win.

First Tennessee Park hosted yet another impressive crowd, drawing 10,542 fans. The sell out was the Sounds’ eighth in 33 openings this season.

The third game of the series between Nashville and Omaha will take place on Saturday at First Tennessee Park. The Sounds will turn to right-hander Chris Bassitt (2-5, 3.88) for the start, while Clayton Mortensen will take the ball for the Storm Chasers.