Olson and Strider help Braves sweep Mets and extend their losing streak to 6 games

ATLANTA (AP) — Matt Olson hit a three-run double, Spencer Strider struck out eight in six innings and the Atlanta Braves beat the Mets 7-1 on Thursday night to complete a series sweep that extended New York's season-worst losing streak to six games.

New York's latest sloppy defeat, paired with Philadelphia's 2-1 win over Miami, left the Mets and Phillies tied for first place in the NL East heading into their upcoming weekend series.

Mets pitchers issued nine walks, including a career-high six in 4 2/3 innings by starter Clay Holmes (7-4), who allowed three runs. Huascar Brazobán walked three while giving up four runs in relief.

Strider (2-5) yielded one run and five hits with one walk. Olson added another double and two walks, and scored three runs.

The Braves have won three straight and seven of nine. They trail the Mets and Phillies by 10 games one week after they were 15 games out of first place.

With the bases loaded and Holmes facing a 3-2 count to Drake Baldwin in the fifth, the right-hander had an issue with the PitchCom device in his cap. After a new device was delivered from the dugout, Holmes threw ball four to force in a run that gave Atlanta a 2-1 lead. Brazobán followed with another bases-loaded walk, to Ozzie Albies.

Juan Soto's single with two outs in the first for the Mets was his 1,000th career hit at age 26.

The Mets will recall right-hander Blade Tidwell from Triple-A Syracuse to make his second major league start Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at Philadelphia. Right-hander Justin Hagenman, recalled Thursday from Syracuse, was expected to start Friday or serve as a bulk reliever behind an opener, but he was needed as the Mets' second reliever against Atlanta.

The Braves are expected to call up 20-year-old rookie Didier Fuentes for his major league debut to start at Miami and provide extra rest for the regular members of the rotation.

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New York Mets pitcher Clay Holmes delivers in the second inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

New York Mets' Brandon Nimmo steals third base in the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Atlanta Braves' Matt Olson, right, slides home ahead of a tag from New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez, left, in the fourth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider delivers in the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Atlanta Braves' Matt Olson rounds third base before scoring a run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

CINCINNATI (AP) — After opening the season as the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns facing the Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Flacco will close the season as the backup for the Bengals as they face the Browns on Sunday.

Flacco was dealt to the Bengals in October and made six starts for the Bengals while Joe Burrow was out with a toe injury.

“I don’t really think about putting a label on it,” Flacco said. “It’s crazy. Seasons always go by quick once they’ve started. But the way that this one went, it seems like it flew by.”

During the summer, in Cleveland Browns training camp, Flacco won a competition for the starting quarterback job and made four starts for Cleveland. In Week 1 against the Bengals, Flacco threw for 290 yards.

He said that over the past 17 weeks, he has seen improvement from the Bengals defense. Now, he refers to the Bengals defense as his team’s defense.

“We’re stopping the run,” Flacco said. “We’re getting more pressure on the quarterback. When you combine those two things, it’s going to help you out.”

While Flacco went 1-5 as a starter in Cincinnati, the 40-year-old played well. He threw for at least 200 yards in four of his six starts, and the Bengals offense averaged more than 27 points per game.

Flacco said that he developed a lot of respect for Bengals coach Zac Taylor.

“He has a lot of strengths,” Flacco said. “He’s really good at what he does. His demeanor, his overall personality and the way he leads men is really good. The way he puts game plans together. Also, he’s willing to allow it to be collaborative. That’s a strength. His game day play-calling is also something he does really well.”

Burrow took over as the starter when he returned on Thanksgiving, and Flacco has been the backup over the past month.

Flacco will be a free agent again at the end of the season. As he evaluates his options, he’s hoping to find another chance to play and to start.

“That’s always a priority,” Flacco said. “I’m somebody who wants to play football. You’ve got to assess and see whatever is thrown your way. You have to go from there and see what you can do about it.”

He said that he’d be open to returning to the Bengals, but he’ll weigh several factors.

“I haven’t really thought about it,” Flacco said. “I don’t hope to do anything. I have an idea of maybe of what some goals would be. I’ll go from there and see what happens.”

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco throws during pregame warmups before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) calls a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)