Zack Wheeler, Mets Shut Out Braves in Atlanta

Zack Wheeler has made great strides this season, but is he ready to take the next leap into ace territory? He certainly looked pretty good Friday night in Atlanta as he won a pitchers duel with Julio Teheran, on the way to the Mets shutting out the Braves.

The game was scoreless into the top of the sixth inning when Lucas Duda slammed a two-run home run into the seats in right. Duda’s 28th homer of the season and his first in two weeks gave the Mets a 2-0 lead.

One thing Wheeler has to work on is his pitch count. He only made it through six innings after throwing 105 pitches. In contrast, Teheran threw 74 pitches through six. However, Wheeler’s six innings were scoreless, allowing five hits and walking two. He struck out seven Braves. Zack Wheeler raised his record to 11-10 and lowered his ERA to 3.49.

Teheran ended up going seven innings.

With one out in the ninth Wilmer Flores reached on an infield single. Jordan Walden then walked three straight batters to force in a run to make it 3-0. With two outs Eric Young singled to plate two more runs to make it 5-0 and put the game out of reach. Daniel Murphy, who had four hits on the night, lined out to end the inning.

Carlos Torres, Jeurys Familia and Buddy Carlyle each pitched a perfect inning of relief as the Mets shut out the Braves 5-0.