Ozuna homers off Díaz, Braves beat Mets in new extras format

Atlanta Braves pitcher Max Fried fields a ground ball by New York Mets’ Jeff McNeil during the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 25, 2020, in New York.

New York Mets’ Amed Rosario, front, reacts in front of Atlanta Braves third baseman Johan Camargo after hitting an RBI-triple during the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 25, 2020, in New York.

Atlanta Braves’ Adam Duvall rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the New York Mets during the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 25, 2020, in New York.

Atlanta Braves pitcher Max Fried fields a ground ball by New York Mets’ Jeff McNeil during the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 25, 2020, in New York.

New York Mets pitcher Steven Matz delivers against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 25, 2020, in New York.

Cutouts of New York Mets players’ dogs are displayed in the stands during a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Saturday, July 25, 2020, in New York. The likeness on the right of 1-year-old Willow, a puppy owned by the Mets’ Jeff McNeil, was hit by a home run off the bat of Atlanta’s Adam Duvall on Saturday.

Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies turns a double play against New York Mets’ Michael Conforto (30) during the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 25, 2020, in New York.

Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna celebrates a solo home run against the New York Mets during the ninth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 25, 2020, in New York.

Atlanta Braves’ Dansby Swanson, left, and Ozzie Albies celebrate after defeating the New York Mets in a baseball game Saturday, July 25, 2020, in New York.

New York Mets manager Luis Rojas walks back to the dugout during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Saturday, July 25, 2020, in New York.

Atlanta Braves’ Dansby Swanson, left, scores a run behind New York Mets catcher Wilson Ramos during the 10th inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 25, 2020, in New York.

New York Mets’ Yoenis Cespedes reacts after striking out against the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 25, 2020, in New York.

NEW YORK (AP) — Free-agent prize Marcell Ozuna introduced himself to new fans back in Atlanta with a big swing when it counted most.

Just the sort of ingratiation still evading shaky Mets closer Edwin Díaz 1 1/2 years into his stint with New York.

Ozuna hit a tying homer off Díaz with two outs in the ninth inning, Dansby Swanson scored automatic runner Adam Duvall with a leadoff single in the 10th and the Atlanta Braves beat the New York Mets 5-3 on Saturday.

“He’s one of those guys that those situations don’t faze him,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said of Ozuna. “That guy can hit.”

New York loaded the bases in the bottom of the 10th with no outs against Luke Jackson (1-0). Pinch-hitter Dominic Smith managed a sacrifice fly, but Jackson recovered and retired Wilson Ramos to end it.

Ozuna, signed to an $18 million, one-year deal in January, energized Atlanta’s struggling offense with his opposite-field drive against Díaz. Ozuna went with a 3-2 fastball just off the outside corner and roped it out to right field for his first home run with the Braves.

“Today is not a day I’m going to lose my confidence over,” Díaz said through a translator, saying he located the 98 mph fastball exactly where he wanted.

Mets reliever Hunter Strickland (0-1) was charged with an unearned run on Swanson’s RBI in Major League Baseball’s second game featuring an unpopular, new extra-innings rule that gives teams a free baserunner on second from the 10th on.