Matt Olson plays his 700th straight game, but Braves bats go cold in a 4-0 shutout loss to the Mets on June 27. Read how the offense stalled in the loss.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day of stark contrasts for the Atlanta Braves. While first baseman Matt Olson cemented his place in the modern record books with a remarkable display of durability, the team's offense went missing in a frustrating 4-0 shutout loss to the New York Mets at Citi Field. The defeat splits the four-game series and sends the Braves back to Atlanta with more questions than answers at the plate.
Matt Olson played in his 700th consecutive regular-season game, the longest active streak in MLB and the most since Miguel Tejada's 1,152-game run from 2000-07.
The Braves' offensive struggles were on full display Friday, as the lineup mustered a paltry two hits against a parade of five Mets pitchers. Starter Grant Holmes battled through five innings, giving up two runs on six hits, but received zero run support. The Mets chipped away, scoring on a Tyrone Taylor sacrifice fly in the fourth and a Pete Alonso RBI double in the fifth. A two-run single from Jeff McNeil in the seventh put the game out of reach, dropping the Braves to a disappointing 37-43 on the season and a brutal 15-28 on the road.
The brightest spot in an otherwise gloomy day was Matt Olson's incredible milestone. By taking the field, Olson played in his 700th consecutive regular-season game, a testament to his toughness and dedication. It's the longest active 'Iron Man' streak in the majors and a feat not seen since Miguel Tejada's legendary 1,152-game streak ended in 2007. In a season marked by inconsistency, Olson's presence in the lineup every single day is a rock the team and fans can count on.
There's no time to dwell on the loss, as the Braves fly home to immediately begin a crucial series against the Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park. The challenge starts Friday night with Bryce Elder (2-4, 4.77 ERA) taking the mound for Atlanta. He'll face off against Phillies rookie Mick Abel (2-1, 3.47 ERA). After a tough road trip, a strong start to this homestand against a division rival is absolutely essential to build some momentum.
While we pause to tip our caps to Matt Olson's historic consistency, the reality is the Braves need a collective jolt of life. This upcoming series against the Phillies isn't just another homestand; it's a chance to prove they can hang with the division's best and turn the page on a frustrating first half. The bats need to wake up, and it needs to happen now.
