ATLANTA (AP) — Aaron Blair's ERA keeps going up, possibly forcing the Braves to conclude it may be time to send the rookie down.
Blair allowed eight runs in 4 1/3 innings, creating a deficit that even Atlanta's six-run fifth couldn't erase in an 8-6 loss to the New York Mets on Friday night.
Blair (0-5) saw his ERA climb to 7.99, leaving his spot in the rotation in jeopardy.
Asked if Blair would make his next start, Braves interim manager Brian Snitker said: "As of right now. But we're going to review that tomorrow."
Blair gave up seven hits with three walks.
"It's a long process," Blair said. "It's taking a little bit longer than I hoped or expected."
Brandon Snyder hit a pinch-hit, three-run homer and Adonis Garcia had a two-run double in the Braves' big inning.
James Loney hit a three-run homer and Travis d'Arnaud drove in three runs for the Mets, who led 8-0 in the fifth.
Mets rookie Steven Matz allowed six runs and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Matz said he had no recurrence of the right elbow stiffness he reported following his last start.
Hansel Robles (2-3) threw 2 2/3 perfect innings to stop the Braves' comeback.
Jeurys Familia recorded the final four outs for his major league-leading 25th save. The last out came when he struck out Jace Peterson — but the ball bounced away from d'Arnaud, who quickly recovered it and threw a one-hopper to a stretched-out Loney, who dragged his foot along the bag. A video review confirmed the final out.
The Mets had lost four straight to the last-place Braves, and had to hold on in this one.
Familia gave up a leadoff single to Tyler Flowers before hitting Erick Aybar with a pitch in the ninth. Pinch-hitter Chase d'Arnaud — brother of the Mets' Travis — hit into a double play while trying to advance the runners with a bunt.
Familia finished it off, with a big hand — and stretch — from Loney.
AARON PULLS 44
The Braves are counting down their home games in their final season at Turner Field. Each game, someone is selected to pull down a number which reflects the games remaining before the team moves to a new stadium in the northern suburbs.
With the countdown at 44, the obvious choice was Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, whose No. 44 is retired by the Braves. Aaron, 82, earned an ovation when he slowly walked onto the left-field warning track and pulled the number from the wall.
CHAMPIONS OF JUSTICE
Earlier Friday, the 2016 Hank Aaron Champion for Justice Awards were presented to Delores Huerta, co-founder of the National Farmworkers Association; National Urban League President Marc Morial; Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson and Braves vice chairman John Schuerholz. The four were honored before the game.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Mets: Cespedes remained in the game after he rolled his left ankle as he was picked off first base in the seventh. He was making his return after missing one game with a mild sprained left wrist.
Braves: IF Gordon Beckham (strained left hamstring) could be cleared for a rehab assignment if he can run the bases without difficulty on Saturday. ... RHP Mike Foltynewicz (right elbow soreness) will make a rehab start for Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.
UP NEXT
Mets: RHP Jacob deGrom (3-4, 2.96) will face the Braves for the second time in a week on Saturday night. He gave up three runs in six innings in a 6-0 home loss to Atlanta on Sunday. He is 3-3 with a 2.25 ERA in seven career starts against the Braves.
Braves: RHP Julio Teheran (3-7, 2.66) will try to extend his history of success against the Mets. He allowed only one hit in a 6-0 shutout of the Mets on Sunday to improve to 6-3 with a 2.67 ERA in 12 career games, including 11 starts, against New York.
