Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried. (Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports)
Braves pitcher Max Fried put in a flu-game-like appearance against the Mets, retiring the last 10 batters he faced and then puking in the dugout.
The first game of the huge Mets vs. Braves series featured a pitchers matchup between Max Fried and Jacob deGrom.
One pitcher struck out 11 but gave up three home runs. The other retired the last 10 batters he faced but got sick in the dugout and left the game.
Who had the better night?
Possible vomit and all, it sure looked like Fried, who had to end his night early because of a mystery illness but got to leave the game with a lead.
Pitcher Max Fried may have puked in the Braves dugout
On a night when things went pretty right for the Braves pitcher, something went wrong after five innings of work. Fried jumped to his feet and briefly hunched over a dugout trash can, apparently puking or threatening to puke. He went down the tunnel clearly not feeling well.
The team announced shortly that he left the game due to illness.
Before getting sick, Fried was dealing. He gave up one run in the second inning but retired the next 10 Mets batters.
Collin McHugh stepped in for Fried as the bullpen took over.
The Braves came into Friday’s game trailing the Mets by one game in the NL East. The winner of the series is likely to win the division title, so both teams need their squads to be at their best.
The good thing for Atlanta is that Fried made it through five strong innings before experiencing any distress. That contribution could mean everything for the postseason picture.
After three games against New York, the Braves will finish out the season on the road against the Marlins. The Mets will close things out at home against the Nationals.