Paul Blackburn

Paul Blackburn allowed four hits and four runs, three earned, with two walks and two strikeouts over 3 2/3 innings in a loss to the Braves on Wednesday.

Things looked like they’d get ugly for Blackburn after Ronald Acuña Jr. launched a 419 foot home run on the first pitch of this game. It still wasn’t good, but also not totally catastrophic. The Braves scratched across three more against him first on the strangest play you’ll ever see – catcher Luis Torrens illegally touched the ball with his mask which automatically let every runner move up a base – then on a sacrifice fly and pass ball. The Mets’ rotation is quite turbulent at the moment with recent injuries to Kodai Senga and Tylor Megill with Frankie Montas’ imminent return. It’s unknown whether Blackburn’s next appearance will be as a starter or a reliever.