ATLANTA (AP) — Luis Torrens doubled in two runs with two outs in the 10th inning and the last-place New York Mets beat the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves 7-6 on Monday night to split the four-game series.
Torrens’ double to left field drove in Bo Bichette, who opened the inning on second base as the designated runner, and Jared Young, for a 7-5 lead. Young was hit by a pitch by Braves rookie right-hander Owen Murphy (0-1) in his major league debut. Murphy, 22, was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett before the game.
Click to Gallery
Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo López delivers to a New York Mets batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
New York Mets' Carson Benge follows through on a solo home run against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Atlanta Braves' Jim Jarvis, left, reacts with first base coach Antoan Richardson, right, after hitting an RBI single against the New York Mets during the second inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
New York Mets shortstop Ronny Mauricio, right, tags out Atlanta Braves' Ozzie Albies, left, between second base and third during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Atlanta Braves' Michael Harris II hits an RBI single against the New York Mets during the second inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Matt Olson hit two homers for Atlanta, including a game-tying two-run shot in the ninth.
Mets right-hander Luke Weaver gave up a run-scoring double to Michael Harris II in the 10th, but earned his first save.
Juan Soto hit a go-ahead, three-run homer off Braves All-Star closer Raisel Iglesias with two outs in the ninth to give New York a 5-3 lead.
Mets closer Devin Williams blew the lead without recording an out. Ozzie Albies doubled to lead off the ninth and scored on Olson's opposite-field homer to left field to tie the game. Brooks Raley (3-3) recorded the final out in the ninth.
Carson Benge had two hits, including a homer, for New York.
Reynaldo López gave up one run in five innings for Atlanta. Mets right-hander Freddy Peralta allowed three runs, one earned, in 4 2/3 innings.
The Mets opens a three-game home series against Kansas City on Tuesday night. RHP Seth Lugo (3-6, 4.20 ERA), who pitched for the Mets in his first seven seasons, is expected to start for the Royals. The Mets haven't named a starter.
Braves RHP Hurston Waldrep (0-0, 3.68) is expected to face RHP Paul Skenes (6-8, 3.62) when Atlanta opens a series at Pittsburgh on Tuesday.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo López delivers to a New York Mets batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
New York Mets' Carson Benge follows through on a solo home run against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Atlanta Braves' Jim Jarvis, left, reacts with first base coach Antoan Richardson, right, after hitting an RBI single against the New York Mets during the second inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
New York Mets shortstop Ronny Mauricio, right, tags out Atlanta Braves' Ozzie Albies, left, between second base and third during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Atlanta Braves' Michael Harris II hits an RBI single against the New York Mets during the second inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
PROVO, Utah (AP) — A former campus police officer testified Monday that he found an apparent “sniper pad” on a rooftop near where Charlie Kirk was assassinated, as prosecutors sought to convince a state judge they have enough evidence to put a Utah man on trial for murder.
Former Utah Valley University Officer Christopher Bagley said he witnessed Kirk's shooting while the conservative activist was speaking on Sept. 10 to a crowd of thousands. Soon after, Bagley searched a nearby gravel rooftop, where it appeared someone had been lying prone with a clear sightline to Kirk's location, he said.
“It looks like a sniper pad,” Bagley said, adding, "you’ve got markings of elbows, knees and feet.”
The testimony came as Kirk’s parents, Kathryn and Robert, and his widow, Erika, were in the courtroom for the first time since the case began, along with the president's son Donald Trump Jr.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for defendant Tyler Robinson, 23, who is charged with aggravated murder. Robinson’s parents also were present, sitting a few rows behind the Kirks.
The five-day preliminary hearing that began Monday is expected to mark the most significant presentation of evidence to date in the case. There were no major revelations on the first day, although prosecutors aired new video that investigators believe showed Robinson getting in and out of his vehicle on Sept. 10 and 11.
Robinson turned himself in the day after the shooting. He has not yet entered a plea, and his attorneys have not commented on his guilt or innocence. They have, however, sought to get the death penalty taken off the table, so far unsuccessfully.
Prosecutors showed several videos of Kirk's shooting as they made their case to state District Judge Tony Graf. Attorneys from both sides tried to shield their monitors from courtroom spectators, after Graf said the assassination videos couldn't be publicized because of their graphic nature.
The sound was still audible in court — Kirk's response to a question about mass shootings in the U.S. is interrupted by a loud pop, followed by screams.
Kirk’s family briefly stepped out of the courtroom twice — when investigators began testifying about the day of the shooting and again when prosecutors introduced the graphic videos.
David Hull, who was an agent with the State Bureau of Investigation at the time of Kirk’s killing, said investigators reviewed hundreds of hours of video to track the suspect's movements before and after the shooting. He pointed out Robinson in court after prosecutors asked him if the suspect he identified during his investigation was in the room.
The proceeding this week resembles a minitrial, but prosecutors need only demonstrate that there are reasonable grounds to believe Robinson killed Kirk. The standard is lower than for a trial, where prosecutors must prove guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Prosecutors, as a result, should have little trouble advancing their case, said Mark Kouris, a former prosecutor and state judge in Salt Lake City.
“This standard is extremely low and the chances of them not getting through it are, quite frankly, almost nothing," said Kouris, now an adjunct professor at the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law.
Defense attorney Kathryn Nester repeatedly objected to evidence introduced by prosecutors. She was mostly overruled by the judge.
However, Graf sided with the defense to block the introduction of a compilation of surveillance videos from Utah Valley University because some had been altered to zoom in or had circles drawn around individuals. Prosecutors said they would try again Tuesday to introduce that video with the alterations removed.
Nester asked Bagley, the prosecution’s first witness, about finding an empty pistol holster on the ground after the crowd fled. Bagley acknowledged he never took custody of the holster and didn’t know whether it had been fingerprinted.
Utah is an open carry state, meaning people can carry guns openly or conceal them without a permit.
Prosecutors have said they also plan to present DNA evidence linking Robinson to the suspected murder weapon, autopsy findings and witness statements. They are expected to argue the shooting endangered others at Kirk’s campus event — an aggravating circumstance that could make the crime punishable by death under Utah law.
Prosecutors allege Robinson confessed in a note left for his roommate, who was also his romantic partner, that read: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”
Robinson's roommate is not expected to testify in person during the hearing. Still, the roommate's recorded testimony could be a focal point for prosecutors. Besides the alleged confession note, Robinson reportedly texted his roommate that he targeted Kirk because he “had enough of his hatred,” prosecutors have said.
Before his death, Kirk and the organization he co-founded, Turning Point USA, galvanized the conservative youth vote to help President Donald Trump win a second term.
The Republican president has said he hopes Robinson receives the death penalty.
Erika Kirk said during her husband's memorial service that she forgives Robinson.
Ahead of Monday's hearing, she thanked supporters in a statement for their kindness and prayers.
“Every court proceeding serves as a painful reminder of his death,” she wrote, “and the loss that has irrevocably impacted our lives and the lives of his children.”
Brown reported from Billings, Montana.
Erika Kirk leaves the Fourth District Courthouse, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Provo, Utah, after a hearing for Tyler Robinson, accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk. (AP Photo/Marielle Scott)
Erika Kirk leaves the Fourth District Courthouse, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Provo, Utah, after a hearing for Tyler Robinson, accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk. (AP Photo/Marielle Scott)
Charlie Kirk's parents, Robert and Kathryn Kirk, arrive at the Fourth District Courthouse for a hearing for Tyler Robinson, accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Marielle Scott)
Media reporters wait outside the Fourth District Courthouse, ahead of a hearing for Tyler Robinson, accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Marielle Scott)
People stand by a door at the Fourth District Courthouse ahead of a hearing for Tyler Robinson, accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Marielle Scott)
Attorney Kathryn Nester, left, arrives at the Fourth District Courthouse for a hearing for Tyler Robinson, accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Marielle Scott)
FILE - A well-wisher places flowers at a makeshift memorial set up for Charlie Kirk at Turning Point USA headquarters, Sept. 11, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
