Braves top Mets 3-2 on June 24 as Schwellenbach deals and Acuña homers. See how Dylan Lee finally ended the bullpen's frustrating 31-game save drought.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In a tense, late-night battle at Citi Field, the Atlanta Braves kicked off their four-game series against the New York Mets with a crucial 3-2 victory. The win was powered by another masterful performance from workhorse Spencer Schwellenbach and a go-ahead home run from the unstoppable Ronald Acuña Jr. But perhaps the biggest story of the night was the final out, as Dylan Lee locked down a save, ending a frustrating, month-long drought for the Atlanta bullpen.
Dylan Lee recorded the Braves' first save since May 16, snapping a frustrating 31-game team-record drought.
Spencer Schwellenbach continues to be the rock of this rotation. Facing the Mets lineup, he was efficient and dominant, pitching seven strong innings while allowing just two runs on a Juan Soto homer. His performance not only gave the Braves the foundation for the win but also vaulted him into the MLB lead for innings pitched. With 103 2/3 innings, Schwellenbach has proven to be a durable ace, completing seven or more frames in eight of his 16 starts this season, a remarkable feat for any pitcher.
While Schwellenbach controlled the game from the mound, Ronald Acuña Jr. continued his otherworldly tear at the plate. His solo home run proved to be the decisive blow. Since his return from the injured list on May 23, Acuña has been a force of nature. He is not just hitting, he is controlling every at-bat, boasting an on-base percentage over .500 in that span—the only qualified player in baseball to do so. His blend of power and elite plate discipline has been the engine of the Braves' offense.
For the first time in 32 games, Braves fans could finally exhale in the ninth inning. The team's record-setting 31-game streak without a save came to a dramatic end thanks to Dylan Lee. Called upon in a high-leverage spot, Lee was spectacular, retiring all four batters he faced. The highlight was a massive strikeout of Juan Soto with runners on the corners to end the eighth, extinguishing the Mets' biggest threat before he coolly closed the door in the ninth. It was just Lee's second career save, but it felt like one of the most significant of the season for a bullpen in desperate need of a confidence boost.
This gritty 3-2 win was a perfect encapsulation of what the Braves need to climb back into contention: a dominant starter, a catalytic leadoff hitter, and a bullpen that can slam the door. All eyes now turn to Spencer Strider, who will look to build on this momentum against a debuting Frankie Montas in game two. Another win would secure the series and continue Atlanta's mastery over their division rivals.
