Peterson strikes out 10, Mets stop Freeman, Braves 7-2

NEW YORK (AP) — Rookie David Peterson struck out NL batting leader Freddie Freeman three times and fanned a career-high 10 in six sharp innings as the New York Mets beat the Atlanta Braves 7-2 Saturday night.

Atlanta saw its NL East lead over second-place Miami drop to 2 1/2 games. The Braves have eight games remaining, the Marlins nine.

The Mets moved to within 1 1/2 games of the NL’s last playoff spot with eight games left.

A night after New York’s 15-2 loss ended with infielder Todd Frazier pitching a 1-2-3 ninth, Peterson (5-2) fanned Freeman in the first, third and fifth innings.

“Freddie, he’s been one of the best hitters, if not the best hitters in the National League so far in this season,” Mets manager Luis Rojas said. “He’s definitely a tough matchup and Petey, he was able to mix well against him.”

Peterson allowed one run and three hits and threw a career-high 102 pitches. The left-hander also matched his longest outing and went six innings for the second time against Atlanta.

Adam Duvall homered in the Atlanta sixth.

Peterson got Freeman to foul tip a fastball into catcher Robinson Chirinos’ glove after he picked off Ronald Acuña Jr. in the first. In the third with Acuña on first, Peterson fanned Freeman on a slider and in the fifth with Austin Riley on second, he got the star first baseman on another slider.

“He’s been around a while for a reason,” Peterson said. “He’s a great hitter and a tough out. Like you saw tonight it was just mixing things up, fastball, slider, left on left changeup."

“It takes everything to get that guy out. He’s a great hitter and a great player in this league. It was good to have success tonight,” he said.

Freeman struck out four times for the second time this season. He had four strikeouts...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Peterson-fans-10-Mets-stop-Freeman-Braves-7-2-15581213.php