The Atlanta Braves bullpen collapses in an 8-7 loss to the Mets

Although Spencer Schwertenbach delivered another great performance for the Atlanta Braves against the New York Mets, the Atlanta bullpen chose the worst possible time this regular season to deliver one of its worst performances of the season. A 3-0 Braves lead after seven innings turned into a disastrous 8-7 loss.

This game started with Spencer Wechselbach starting the way he thought he would – meaning he retired the Mets to get the game going as it certainly looked like he was ready to pick it up right there , where he left off against this team last season. Schlafenbach didn't give up a hit until the third inning, when Tyrone Taylor broke through with a broken-ball (no, not bat) infield single that returned to fair territory after an early foul. Taylor then immediately stole second base and went to third with one out. Luckily, Hügelbach got two more grounders to end the inning and end the scoring threat right there.

Atlanta's lineup responded to Wechselbach's big stretch by getting going in the very next frame. Michael Harris II led off the third with a single that brought Ozzie Albies to the plate with Harris at first. The sight of Ozzie at the plate has been embarrassing most times since his return, but this time he was the one who struck fear into the hearts of the opposing pitcher. Tylor Megill threw a hanging slider to Albies, and even though it was a right-to-right duel, Ozzie didn't miss it, sending it into the seats in left-center where he hit a massive two-run home run. Atlanta sent seven batters to the plate in the third inning, and while those two runs were the only runs they scored in the frame, that was enough for Spencer Rumpfenbach to work with.

The Mets wouldn't become dangerous again until the fifth inning, when Pete Alonso and JD Martinez hit back-to-back singles to start the fifth inning. While Hügelbach was able to strike out Tyrone Taylor to get an out on the board, Francisco Alvarez delivered a productive out that put both runners in scoring position. After a quick encounter on the mound, Wechselbach singled and gave Harrison Bader a groundout to thwart another scoring chance for the Mets.

We wouldn't see more serious action until the sixth inning. Tylor Megill was making his third trip in the order and fortunately for the Braves, Ramón Laureano was able to make him pay for his third trip in the order by hitting a home run deep to center field, increasing the lead to 3-0. Atlanta ended the inning with two men on base, but most importantly, Laureano was able to extend the lead while knocking Megill out of the game.

Spencer Hügelbach lasted seven innings and retired again in the eighth inning, but a leadoff double after an 11-pitch battle with Tyrone Taylor ended his day and it was time for Joe Jiménez to make sure Taylor was stuck at second . That didn't happen, as Francisco Alvarez rudely welcomed Jiménez into the game by hitting a soft grounder down the third base line for a double that put the Mets on the field. Pinch-hitter Starling Marte followed that up with a single to put runners on the corners, and then Francisco Lindor hit one right up the middle to make it a one-run game while ending a difficult outing for Joe Jiménez . Spencer Hügelbach's great start suddenly came into question, which was a shame as he made great progress today.

That meant it was up to Raisel Iglesias to throw another six-out save. Iglesias couldn't stop the bleeding as Jose Iglesias kept New York's line going by hitting an opposing single to end the game at three runs apiece. The first out came at a price: Mark Vientos hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly to give the Mets their first lead of the day. Then there was a total meltdown for the bullpen when Brandon Nimmo hit a home run, giving the Mets a six-run inning with just one out.

Obviously Iglesias was done after that, but shockingly, the Braves weren't done yet. When it was Atlanta's turn to bat, it was time to find a way to dig out of a three-run hole. After the Mets made a series of changes, Phil Maton was the pitcher for New York starting the eighth game, and he immediately got things going for Atlanta by hitting Eli White with a pitch. Travis d'Arnaud moved him to third with a one-out single to put runners on the corners with just one out, and Carlos Mendoza decided to follow Brian Snitker's lead by bringing in his closer in the eighth inning .

Edwin Díaz came into the game looking to break things up, but Jarred Kelenic put a stop to those plans by hitting an RBI infield single that cut the deficit to just two runs. Whit Merrifield entered the game as a pinch-runner and stole second base, then was joined on the basepaths after a walk by Michael Harris II. With that, Ozzie Albies faced Díaz and with the score 3-1, Ozzie hit a fly ball that landed at the base of the wall in left field. Travis d'Arnaud scored. Whit Merrifield scored. Michael Harris II scored and Harris' run made it a 7-6 game in favor of the Braves as Truist Park rose into orbit.

With both Jiménez and Iglesias out for the game, it was up to Pierce Johnson to finish things off. Pierce had the first hit, but then Starling Marte singled, and Francisco Lindor hit a home run to put the Mets back in the lead. The home run was all Johnson gave up in the end, but the onus was once again on this offense to deliver more late-game magic after the bullpen collapse extended into another inning.

The Braves had a good shot in the bottom of the ninth when Eli White singled with one out and then stole second base to get into scoring position. Unfortunately, Ramón Laureano was unable to get anything else going, and then Travis d'Arnaud opted out to ensure the Mets would go to the postseason.

As crazy as this game was, it still doesn't change the formula for the Braves to secure a postseason spot. They absolutely need to win another game today and Chris Sale will help them get to the postseason. It all comes down to this one final game, and it comes just moments after the craziest game of the season so far.