Mets Morning News: Flores’ fielding folly fells Mets

Meet the Mets

Brandon Nimmo responded to an Ozzie Albies RBI single with a leadoff home run in the first, but the Mets scored just once more the rest of the way to fall to the Braves 4-2. Jason Vargas surrendered all four Atlanta runs, each earned, over five frames. But where Vargas struggled, the bullpen was immaculate. Four relievers—including the debuting Bobby Wahl, part of the return for Jeurys Familia—were perfect over the final four innings. Wilmer Flores went 2-for-3 with a walk, but his errant throw in the third inning, following what looked to be a successful pickoff by Vargas, led to three Braves runs.

Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue short and long, Times, Daily News, Post, Bergen Record, MLB.com, Newsday, BP Mets, Talking Chop.

Mickey Callaway took umbrage with Nationals outfielder Adam Eaton, whose slide on Wednesday broke Phil Evans’ leg.

August 29 will be the 20th anniversary of Toms River East’s Little League World Series title. Todd Frazier starred at shortstop for the team, and still loves to talk about the tournament.

Fangraphs’ Craig Edwards mounted a defense of the Mets’ trade deadline, advocating for the Mets to “go for it” in the coming offseason.

The Post’s Kevin Kernan asked assistant general manager John Ricco how the Mets plan to change the team’s culture ahead of the 2019 season.

Minor League Ball dropped their midseason review of the Mets’ top 20 prospects.

Around the National League East

The Marlins fell to the Phillies by a score of 5-2 on a three-run walk-off home run from Maikel Franco. Check out recaps from Fish Stripes and The Good Phight.

The Phillies’ Gabe Kapler is the latest skipper to take part in FanGraphs’ “Manager’s Perspective” series.

Max Scherzer struck out 10 Reds across six frames, holding Cincinnati to two runs in a 10-4 Nationals victory.

Around Major League Baseball

Grant Brisbee explained why a a quiet trade deadline will mean more of the same come winter.

If you’re up for watching long, long innings yet after Tuesday’s debacle, an incredible Jackie Bradley Jr. slide kicked off an eight-run inning for the Red Sox, who beat the Yankees 15-7.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Speaking of the Tuesday from hell, the Mets said Steven Matz experienced forearm tightness after that game, but an MRI revealed no structural damage.

Zack Wheeler is doing a better job of keeping the ball in the park this season, one of several improvements upon his 2017 campaign.

Vasilis Drimalitis previewed the team’s four-game set with the Braves.

This Date in Mets History

The original Frank Thomas hit a pair of home runs for the third straight game on this date in 1962. His six total homers in three consecutive games stood as an MLB record until Shawn Green cranked seven dingers in three contests in 2002.