ATLANTA — Jeurys Familia is the Mets closer, just not in every situation.
After Familia got the final two outs for the save in the Mets’ 4-3 victory over the Braves on Sunday, manager Terry Collins said there could be instances in which lefty Jerry Blevins is asked to get the final out.
Blevins struck out Nick Markakis and Freddie Freeman to end the eighth and then returned to retire A.J. Pierzynski for the first out in the ninth.
“We’re going to do that, especially in one-run games,” Collins said. “Lefties take pretty good swings off Jeurys at times.”
Familia said he is fine pitching less than a full inning.
“Whatever decision they make to put me in the game, I’m just trying to go out there to do my job,” Familia said. “I’m just trying to help the team.”
Noah Syndergaard is scheduled to make his first start on Monday for Triple-A Las Vegas. Collins revealed Syndergaard had tightness in his right forearm near the end of spring training, which led to the right-hander getting pushed back to the end of Las Vegas’ rotation. Syndergaard is expected to throw 65-70 pitches Monday. The rest of Las Vegas’ starters were on a pitch count of about 85 the first time through the rotation.
Wilmer Flores doubled in the fourth inning, but is off to a 3-for-19 (.158) start. Flores and Ruben Tejada were slow turning a double play in the second inning, helping the Braves score twice.
“I don’t think [Flores] lacks confidence,” Collins said. “It’s just that he is trying way too hard, and [the double] was a big hit for him and us and we’ve got to get him going. He’s not out there to be Andrelton Simmons. He’s out there to swing that bat, and when he gets hot we’re going to look like a different team.”
The Mets are asking fans attending Monday’s home opener to use public transportation if possible and give themselves extra time for arrival to Citi Field.