Jacob deGrom dominates Braves, Mets takes series victory over rivals

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Jacob deGrom struck out 12 and carried a perfect game into the sixth inning of his second start all season, pitching the New York Mets past the Atlanta Braves 5-2 on Sunday for their 12th victory in 14 games.

Pete Alonso drove in two runs and the first-place Mets finished with 19 strikeouts — including three straight from closer Edwin Díaz to end a combined two-hitter. They took four of five from Atlanta in their NL East showdown, extending their division lead to 6 1/2 games over the defending World Series champions.

"It was kind of emotional walking out there. I haven’t taken this mound in over a year," deGrom said. "I had to take a second and kind of get myself together."

Pitching at home for the first time in 13 months, a dominant deGrom (1-0) retired his first 17 batters — 12 on strikeouts — before walking No. 9 hitter Ehire Adrianza with two outs in the sixth. That ended the longest perfect-game bid of deGrom's career.

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New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022, in New York.  (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Dansby Swanson followed with a two-run homer on the 76th and final pitch from deGrom, making it 5-2.

"He was really good," Braves manager Brian Snitker said. "I’m like, good God, there’s nothing wrong with him."

The two-time Cy Young Award winner missed the final three months last season with right forearm tightness and a sprained elbow, then was shut down late in spring training because of a stress reaction in his right scapula. He finally returned Tuesday at Washington, throwing five