MILWAUKEE (AP) — New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was ejected Friday night during an 8-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers after arguing a called third strike on Francisco Alvarez.
New York trailed 5-2 in the fourth inning but was threatening with two outs after Jesse Winker was hit by a pitch and J.D. Martinez walked. That brought up Alvarez, who fouled off four straight pitches before getting called out on strikes. The full-count pitch he took from Frankie Montas appeared to be a tad low.
Alvarez was on his way to first base when plate umpire Ramon De Jesus called him out. Alvarez hopped up and down in protest, and Mendoza came out of the dugout to argue as well, resulting in his ejection.
“They have a tough job, and I know they're working really hard,” Mendoza said about the umpires. “I didn't agree with it. I thought he didn't have a good game behind the plate. Not only was that call, there were some other calls that I wasn't happy with. But, again, I know they're trying, and we've got to move on.”
Mendoza's ejection came just a few minutes after the Atlanta Braves completed a 3-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals. The Mets, Braves and Arizona Diamondbacks are competing for the NL's final two wild-card playoff spots.
The Mets and Braves have 87-71 records. The Diamondbacks fell to 88-72 with a 5-3 loss to the San Diego Padres on Friday.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez (4) reacts after striking out during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez (4) reacts after striking out during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, right, yells to umpire Ramon De Jesus, second from right, after being ejected during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, right, yells at umpire Ramon De Jesus (18) after being ejected during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
ATLANTA (AP) — Max Fried pitched three-hit ball over 8 2/3 innings to lead the Atlanta Braves to a 3-0 victory over Kansas City on Friday night, but the Royals still got a chance to pop the corks on their first postseason berth since 2015.
Kansas City locked up an American League wild card when Minnesota lost to Baltimore 7-2, setting off a delayed but raucous celebration in the visitors' clubhouse at Truist Park.
“We’re just so proud of everyone," Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. said. “This is just the beginning of something special.”
It was a big night, too, for the Braves, who now hold a National League wild-card spot after the Mets and Diamondbacks both lost.
Sean Murphy hit a two-run homer for the Braves and Marcell Ozuna trotted home on a throwing error after his first stolen base since 2022.
The Braves and Mets are set to play a doubleheader Monday in Atlanta — a day after the scheduled end of the regular season — to make up two games between the NL East rivals that were washed out this week by torrential rain from Hurricane Helene.
“This is a big game, obviously. Every game counts,” Fried said. “Knowing that this potentially could be the last game that I pitched this season, I just wanted to do everything I could to leave everything out there and try to win.”
The Royals came in with their magic number at one to clinch their first playoff appearance since winning the 2015 World Series. They failed to take care of business themselves, holding off their celebration until the game in Minneapolis was completed.
Fried (11-10) came within one out of a shutout, giving way to Raisel Iglesias when the Royals put runners at second and third. Iglesias retired Salvador Perez on a flyout for his 33rd save.
It was Fried's first career start against the Royals.
“We knew it was (going to be) tough, watching him and seeing him over the years,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “He's got multiple pitches that are plus pitches. He uses them all. He very rarely falls into any sort of patterns. ... That was masterful pitching.”
Fried threw 98 pitches, 63 for strikes. He walked two and struck out nine.
“You know exactly what you need to do,” Fried said. “We had to win this game and I just left everything out there.”
Royals starter Brady Singer (9-13) allowed two runs on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts. Murphy homered on an 0-2 sweeper that caught the middle of the zone in the fourth.
“I'm obviously trying to get that off the plate a little bit more there,” Singer said. “I kept it in the zone and he put a good swing on it. If I could just get that ball further off the plate I like my chances a little bit more.”
Ozuna tacked on an unlikely insurance run in the eighth by stealing third. Caught off guard, Perez threw the ball into left field, allowing Ozuna to make it home to a giddy celebration in the Atlanta dugout.
“They gave him the base,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said with a smile.
FRIED FINALE
Fried has spent his entire career with the Braves, but he’s set to become a free agent after the World Series.
The left-hander recognized the significance of the moment as he walked off the field to a huge cheer from the crowd at Truist Park. Depending on how the season plays out, it could’ve been his final home game in a Braves uniform.
“Walking off and hearing that, it was emotional,” Fried said. “I am extremely thankful and very, very grateful.”
There has been no indication that the Braves are pursuing a new long-term contract with Fried, a two-time All-Star who is 73-36 over eight seasons with Atlanta.
“I don’t know what the future holds, but this is really all I know,” Fried said. “I do love it.”
TRAINER'S ROOM
Royals: 1B Vinnie Pasquantino (broken right thumb) was on the field during batting practice and will take simulated at-bats against reliever Will Smith on Saturday.
Braves: RHP Reynaldo López (shoulder inflammation) threw his second side session Thursday, felt good and will be activated to start Saturday, Snitker said.
UP NEXT
RHP Seth Lugo (16-9, 3.03 ERA) will start for the Royals in the second game of the series. López (8-5, 2.03) will make his first appearance since a start at Washington on Sept. 10. He lasted only one inning because of shoulder pain that sent him to the 15-day injured list. Lugo allowed two runs on three hits over seven innings in his last outing, a 2-0 loss to the Giants on Sept. 22.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Atlanta Braves' Marcell Ozuna scores after an error in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Atlanta Braves pitcher Max Fried, center, hands the ball to manager Brian Snitker (43) after being relieved in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Atlanta Braves pitcher Raisel Iglesias throws in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies prepares to throw out Kansas City Royals' Tommy Pham at first base in the eighth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr., left, tags first base before Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson, right, stretches out to field the throw in the third inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., left, pitcher Brady Singer, center, and catcher Salvador Perez, right, meet at the mound in the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Atlanta Braves' Sean Murphy, center, celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Atlanta Braves pitcher Max Fried throws in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
