Lugo pitches Mets over Braves in season debut

ATLANTA — Steven Matz had an impressive return from the disabled list for the New York Mets on Saturday, and Seth Lugo matched him Sunday against the Atlanta Braves.

Lugo allowed just one run over seven innings, just like Matz had done in his delayed season debut, and the Mets defeated the Braves 2-1 to take three of the four games in the series.

Pitching with a partially torn ligament in his elbow, Lugo allowed six hits, walked two, hit a batter and struck out six in his first start of the season. He threw 60 of his 90 pitches for strikes.

Lugo (1-0) also contributed to the victory at the plate. He doubled in the third inning and scored on a two-out single by Juan Lagares to break an early tie.

Addison Reed pitched a perfect ninth inning, striking out the final two Braves, to record his 11th save.

Jamie Garcia (2-5) took the loss despite striking out a season-high nine over seven innings for the Braves. He allowed seven hits and two runs, with one of his two walks intentional.

A successful video review challenge kept the Mets ahead in the fifth, changing a run-scoring fielder’s choice into an inning-ending double play hit into by Matt Adams.

Wilmer Flores followed a double by Michael Conforto with a sacrifice fly for the Mets in the first inning, and Dansby Swanson delivered a tying sacrifice fly in the second for the Braves after a double by Tyler Flowers.

The Mets have won 16 of their past 21 games in Atlanta.

NOTES: OF Yoenis Cespedes, who hit a grand slam in his return from the disabled list Saturday, popped out as a pinch hitter with the bases loaded in the ninth inning Sunday. Manager Terry Collins said Cespedes would start Monday and Tuesday in New York during the three-game series with the Chicago Cubs. … RHP Jacob deGrom (4-3, 4.75 ERA) will pitch the opener against RHP John Lackey (4-6, 5.12 ERA). … The Braves placed LHP Eric O’Flaherty on the 10-day disabled list because of rotator cuff tendinitis in his left shoulder. He gave up six hits and four runs in 1 2/3 innings Saturday to push his ERA to 7.85. … RHP Jason Hursh was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to fill the O’Flaherty’s spot in the bullpen after being sent down before Saturday’s doubleheader. … LHP Sean Gilmartin, dropped from the 40-man roster by the Mets, was claimed off waivers by St. Louis. … Mets 3B Jose Reyes turned 34 on Sunday. … The Braves, 2-4 at home against the Nationals, make their first trip to Washington for a three-game series starting Monday. … RHP Mike Foltynewicz (4-5, 3.48 ERA) will start the opener against Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg (7-2, 2.80 ERA).