Nolan McLean allowed three hits and two runs with four walks and six strikeouts over four innings in a no-decision against the Braves on Friday.

In the midst of a frustrating set of starts, this one stands out as being particularly annoying. The Mets put up six runs in support of McLean over the first two innings and he still couldn’t hang on long enough to earn the win. His 42-pitch second inning was a huge reason for that. McLean gave up alternating hits and walks to the first five hitters he faced that frame to bring two runs in with the bases loaded and still nobody out. It was a pure Houdini act to get out of that without any more damage being done with plenty of help from Mauricio Dubón, who chased a 3-1 pitch out of the zone to pop-up and help neutralize the threat. Otherwise, the command of his often stellar breaking stuff remains choppy and he’s not putting away hitters – especially lefties – like he was earlier in the season. He’ll have another chance to right the ship next week against the Reds in Cincinnati.