Muller tosses 5 scoreless, Braves beat Mets 2-0 in 1st of 2

NEW YORK (AP) — Kyle Muller threw five scoreless innings to earn his second big league win, helping the Atlanta Braves beat the New York Mets 2-0 on Monday afternoon in the opener of a doubleheader with seven-inning games.

Muller (2-3) allowed the Mets to advance just two runners as far as second base as he lowered his ERA to 2.55 in five games and six appearances.

“The thing I’ve noticed about him is he’s got a lot of confidence,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “I don’t feel that he gets caught up in the moment there a little bit. I think he keeps breathing and trusts his stuff.”

The 23-year-old rookie gave up four hits and walked two while striking out three. He struck out Pete Alonso and Michael Conforto to strand a pair of runners in the third.

“I was really, really excited about that,” Muller said. “That was a big moment in the game right there.”

Muller got help defensively from Austin Riley in the fifth, when the third baseman leaped to snare Alonso’s high chopper to begin an inning-ending double play.

“I had some great defensive plays all day,” Muller said. “It was awesome. I’m going to be honest, I was pretty proud of myself. The fans were rocking, and being able to stay composed and stay over the rubber and executive some big pitches right there, that was pretty cool.”

Tyler Matzek threw a perfect sixth and Will Smith earned his 20th save in the seventh, when he allowed a one-out single to Tomas Nido before getting James McCann to hit a sizzling grounder to short, where Dansby Swanson began the game-ending double play.

Muller also helped build the Braves’ first run by singling off Marcus Stroman (7-9) in the third for his first big league hit. Joc Pederson followed with an RBI double.

An unusual double by...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Muller-tosses-5-scoreless-Braves-beat-Mets-2-0-16341444.php