NEW YORK — Chris Sale struck out nine batters, walked none and allowed just two hits in six innings Wednesday evening, helping the Atlanta Braves beat the New York Mets 1-0 to split a day-night doubleheader at Citi Field and avoid being swept in the three-game series between National League East Division rivals.
Sale (12-6), a 37-year-old left-hander who was an MLB All-Star for the 10th time this season, lowered his ERA to 2.08 while winning his third straight decision. Raisel Iglesias, the fourth pitcher used by the Braves in Wednesday night’s matchup, pitched a perfect ninth inning and posted his 22nd save of the year.
Matt Olson had an RBI single in the sixth in Atlanta’s first 1-0 victory over the Mets since a seven-inning win in the second game of a doubleheader at Citi Field on June 21, 2021. Olson also accounted for both runs scored by the Braves in the afternoon game of the doubleheader, when he hit a two-run homer in a 3-2 loss.
New York’s starting pitcher in the night game, Christian Scott (3-3), gave up the lone run and struck out seven batters while throwing six innings in his longest stint since May 24, 2024. Scott underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2025 and pitched into the sixth inning just three times in his first 14 starts this year.
The Mets finished 4-2 against the Braves at home this season; it’s their first winning record at Citi Field against Atlanta since 2022 and only their third in the past 10 seasons. New York is 6-4 against the Braves this year overall and can clinch the season series for the first time since 2017 with one win in Atlanta during a three-game series next month at Truist Park.
In the twin bill’s opener, Carson Benge hit a tiebreaking RBI double for the Mets in the seventh inning.
Francisco Alvarez (double) and A.J. Ewing (sacrifice fly) had RBIs in the sixth for the Mets, who won their third straight game for their longest winning streak since a four-game run from May 27-31.
Ewing had two stolen bases. It was the second two-steal game of the season for Ewing, who is the first Mets rookie with multiple two-steal games since Darryl Strawberry in 1983.
Huascar Brazobán (5-2) threw a perfect seventh and Luke Weaver got Olson to hit into an inning-ending double play in the eighth before Devin Williams tossed a one-hit ninth for his 15th save of the season. Pinch-runner Jorge Mateo stole second with two outs, after which Williams struck out Austin Riley.
In addition to Olson’s 402-foot, two-run homer in the sixth, the Braves got two hits each from Drake Baldwin and Eli White.
Atlanta reliever Dylan Dodd (2-1) took the loss on the mound.
Mets left-hander Sean Manaea surrendered two runs and struck out four batters in six innings. He has given up three runs or fewer eight times in nine starts since moving back into the rotation.
Braves right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver allowed two runs and struck out four batters in 4 1/3 innings in his return from Tommy John surgery. Smith-Shawver’s start was his first in the majors since May 29, 2025.
Wednesday’s doubleheader resulted when Tuesday’s game was rained out a day after the Mets won the series opener 14-3. Atlanta is now 63-45 and has a 6 1/2-game lead over the second-place Philadelphia Phillies (57-52) in the NL East, while the Mets (46-53) are at the bottom of the five-team division and 17 1/2 games out of first place.