ATLANTA (AP) — Even in the Georgia heat, Charlie Morton is thriving at 39.
He gives at least partial credit to extra salt on his food.
Morton gave up only two hits in seven innings while allowing no runs for the third straight start, Marcell Ozuna drove in four runs with three hits, including a two-run homer, and the Atlanta Braves beat the New York Mets 7-0 on Wednesday night.
The majors-leading Braves won two of three from New York, finishing 10-3 in the season series.
“Flat out, they were better than us,” Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor said. “You’ve got to give them credit. They’re a really good team.”
Morton (13-10) set a season high with 11 strikeouts, his second straight game with double-digit strikeouts and the 27th of his career. He won his third straight start — two against the Mets and one against the New York Yankees. The right-hander allowed a combined nine hits in the three wins.
The temperature for the first pitch was 91 degrees, but Morton showed no sign of fatigue. He says a simple lesson learned from former St. Louis teammate Cris Carpenter made a difference in his ability to withstand the heat.
“He said, ‘Over-salt your food,’” Morton said, adding he wasn’t attempting to offer advice to anyone’s diet but believes Carpenter’s lesson worked for him.
“For all I know it extended my career,” Morton said.
Morton’s 18-inning scoreless streak in his three straight wins is his longest since posting 21 consecutive scoreless innings in June, 2021.
Ozuna singled in a run off José Quintana (1-5) in the first and again drove in Austin Riley in the sixth, this time with a double to center field. Ozuna scored on Sean Murphy’s single off Quintana for a 3-0 lead. Vaughn Grissom’s two-run triple off Phil Bickford pushed the lead to five runs.
Ozuna lined the two-run homer, his 28th, to left off Bickford in the seventh. It was his fourth homer of the series, including two Monday night and one Tuesday night.
“I feel good, working hard every day,” Ozuna said. “Hopefully, God give me the ability to stat healthy and keep doing what I’m doing.”
New York’s only baserunner in the first four innings was Lindor, who was hit by a pitch in the first.
Quintana allowed five runs on nine hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings.
STEWART’S DOUBLES
Morton didn’t allow a hit until DJ Stewart’s one-out double down the first base line in the fifth. With two outs, Morton hit Rafael Ortega with a pitch. Catcher Sean Murphy ended the inning by throwing out Stewart at second base.
Stewart added another double over right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. with two outs in the seventh for the Mets’ second hit. Francisco Álvarez struck out on a called third strike to end the inning.
TRANSACTION
Mets right-hander Reed Garrett was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse and right-hander Tyson Miller was designated for assignment to clear room for right-hander Sean Reid-Foley to be recalled from Syracuse. Reid-Foley made his first appearance in the majors this season with a perfect eighth inning.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Braves 2B Ozzie Albies (strained left hamstring) can come off the 10-day injured list on Friday. “He’s feeling really good,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said, adding Albies only needs confirmation from the medical staff that he’s ready “to turn it loose.” … RHP Kyle Wright (right shoulder inflammation) is scheduled to make a rehab start for Class A Rome on Thursday.
UP NEXT
New York: RHP Kodai Senga (10-6, 3.19) was set to make his first career start Friday against the Los Angeles Angels in the opener of a three-game home series.
Atlanta: RHP Spencer Strider (14-4, 3.57) was scheduled to start when Atlanta opens a three-game series at San Francisco on Friday night.
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