Olson keeps clutch hits coming as Braves beat Mets again

By Mark Bowman, Braves.com

NEW YORK — As the Braves continue their dominance of the Mets and fuel hope of jumping back into the postseason picture, it’s time to recognize Matt Olson is starting to construct MVP credentials, much like he did around this time two years ago.

When Olson capped a five-run sixth with a two-out, two-run single in a 7-4 win over the Mets on Tuesday night at Citi Field, he further distanced himself from the clutch hitting woes that plagued him most of the season’s first two months. The past few weeks have felt much different for him and the Braves, who have won 10 of their past 14 games, including each of the five played against the Mets.

Olson’s two-hit night and Nick Allen’s third three-hit performance of the year soured what was an encouraging season debut for their former A’s teammate, Frankie Montas. The Mets starter tossed five scoreless innings and then saw a 3-0 lead evaporate before he could get comfortable in the clubhouse.

Huascar Brazobán issued three straight walks to begin the sixth and the Braves capped the five-run uprising when Olson laced Reed Garrett’s 1-2 sinker to right-center field, easily scoring Eli White and Michael Harris II.

Olson, who added an RBI double in the eighth, has hit .346 with eight extra-base hits as the Braves have turned things around over their past 14 games. He hit .200 (10-for-50) with runners in scoring position through May 27. But he has batted .461 (12-for-26) in these situations since then.

Olson and the Mets’ Pete Alonso entered Tuesday tied for the best fWAR (2.4) among all MLB first basemen. Olson is on pace for what would be his fourth 30-homer, 100-RBI season.