ATLANTA _ As former Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel remained unemployed Saturday night, Mets left-hander Jason Vargas lasted one-third of an inning in an 11-7 loss to the Braves, the shortest start by a Mets pitcher since Vargas (also one out) last August.
Of Vargas' six batters, he walked three, including Dansby Swanson with the bases loaded. Two got hits. The other, Freddie Freeman, flied out when he sent an 86-mph fastball to deep center field.
Vargas, who had his previous turn in the rotation skipped as the Mets managed multiple days off, allowed four runs Saturday and has allowed 10 in 6 1/3 innings (14.21 ERA) this season.
