Adrian Houser struggles as Mets’ late rally falls short in loss to Braves

ATLANTA — Adrian Houser kept a dangerous Braves lineup from delivering an early knockout punch Tuesday, but merely keeping the ball in the park wasn’t exactly a successful recipe. 

At one point Houser surrendered six straight hits, all of them singles.

The Braves built an early cushion that was too big for the Mets to overcome in their 6-5 loss at Truist Park that snapped a modest two-game winning streak. 

Pete Alonso gave the Mets a pulse with his third homer of the season, a three-run blast in the eighth inning that sliced the deficit in half.

Starting pitcher New York Mets pitcher Brooks Raley (25) pitches the ball against Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Truist Park. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

The Mets added two in the ninth against Raisel Iglesias before the right-hander struck out Alonso to end it. 

The Mets had overcome a four-run deficit the previous night in a thrilling, 8-7 victory, but this time, they were perhaps one hit short.

Omar Narvaez’s RBI double in the ninth provided hope the Mets could steal another.

Narvaez scored on Starling Marte’s ground out to bring the Mets within one. 

For a second straight game the Mets received a rough outing from a starting pitcher.

Matt Olson #28 of the Atlanta Braves is tagged out by Omar Narváez #2 of the New York Mets at the plate during the third inning at Truist Park on April 9, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Getty Images

Houser on this night allowed five earned runs on eight hits, two walks and two hit batters over five innings.

It followed Julio Teheran’s abbreviated start a night earlier in which the right-hander was removed after surrendering four earned runs over 2 ²/₃ innings. 

Houser threw 26 pitches during a first inning in which he allowed a run on Ozzie Albies’ RBI double.

The Mets caught a break when Jeff McNeil snared Matt Olson’s line drive to start a double play with runners on first and second with nobody out. 

Ronald Acuña Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves hits a single during the third inning against the New York Mets at Truist Park on April 9, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Getty Images

The Braves connected for six straight singles against Houser in the third to score three runs and take a 4-0 lead.

Jumping on Houser early in the count, Ronald Acuna Jr., Albies, Austin Riley, Olson, Marcell Ozuna and Michael Harris II singled in succession.

Houser finally recorded an out on Orlando Arcia’s grounder that Alonso gloved and threw home to nail Olson.

The ensuing batter, Travis d’Arnaud, grounded into an inning-ending double play. 

Acuna walked in the fourth then stole second and third before Riley delivered an RBI single against Houser that sank the Mets in a 5-0 hole. 

New York Mets outfielder Harrison Bader (44) can not reach a ball hit for a single by Atlanta Braves’ Michael Harris II in the third inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Atlanta. AP

Alonso doubled leading off the second, but was left stranded. 

Harrison Bader got too aggressive on the bases in the third, when he was easily thrown out attempting to stretch a single into a double leading off the inning. 

Reynaldo Lopez walked Alonso and DJ Stewart in the fourth, but escaped by retiring McNeil for the final out.