NEW YORK—Jacob deGrom struck out 12 and carried a perfect game into the sixth inning of his second start all season, pitching the New York Mets past the Atlanta Braves 5–2 on Sunday for their 12th victory in 14 games.
Pete Alonso drove in two runs and the first-place Mets finished with 19 strikeouts—including three straight from closer Edwin Díaz to end a combined two-hitter.
They took four of five from Atlanta in their NL East showdown, extending their division lead to 6 1/2 games over the defending World Series champions.
New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz celebrates after striking out Atlanta Braves’ Matt Olson during the ninth inning of a baseball game in New York on Aug. 7, 2022. (Julia Nikhinson/AP Photo)
“It was kind of emotional walking out there. I haven’t taken this mound in over a year,” deGrom said. “I had to take a second and kind of get myself together.”…