Monday, August 9, 2021
-Clint Manry
Overall it was a pretty good day for the Braves yesterday as only the lower-level clubs in the minors lost their games (Rome and Augusta). The Braves matchup with the Nationals of course ended with a win, but boy did the Atlanta bullpen make it interesting. Meanwhile, catcher Travis d’Arnaud showed that he’s quickly getting back to game speed as he slugged a game-winning homer in Game 1 of Gwinnett’s doubleheader.
Here’s a recap of everything Braves from Sunday. I’m flying out again tomorrow and desperately need to pack, so I had to leave the minor league recap with just scores and stats…
(57-55) ATLANTA BRAVES
W, 5-4 Nationals
SP, M. Fried – (W), 6 IP, 7 H, ER, BB, 5 K
LF, A. Duvall – 2 for 3, HR, 2 RBI
2B, O. Albies – 1 for 3, HR, 2 RBI
1B/3B, A. Riley – 1 for 4, 2B, RBI
A three-run sixth inning featuring an RBI double by Austin Riley and a two-run homer by Adam Duvall helped lead the Braves over the Nationals on Sunday. The Atlanta bullpen nearly spoiled this one… again… but luckily the Braves offense scored just enough to finish with more runs.
Historically, Max Fried has never really liked facing Washington, however, yesterday it didn’t seem to phase him. Following a Nationals run in the third, Fried came to bat and slapped a softly-hit single up the middle, which immediately led to this two-run homer by Ozzie Albies to give Atlanta the lead…
In the sixth, with Dansby Swanson on first after the Nationals infield made an impressive play to execute a force-out at second, third baseman Austin Riley came up big with a wall-hitting RBI double to put the Braves up 3-1. Later in that same inning, Adam Duvall absolutely destroyed a 1-0 pitch over the left field wall, adding two more runs and making it a 5-1 game…
Fried left with a four-run lead, but as usual the Braves bullpen makes this one interesting. The Nationals scored two in the seventh off Jesse Chavez, then one in the ninth off Chris Martin. With Washington threatening, placing a runner on second following an RBI double, luckily Martin was able to induce a game-ending groundout by Josh Bell to narrowly escape and preserve the win.
A loss by the Mets on Sunday puts the Braves in second-place and just 2 ½ games back from the Phillies in the division at 57-55. Atlanta was won seven of its last ten, while Philadelphia has eight wins in its last ten. Let’s take at least 2 of 3 versus the Reds this week (starting Tuesday), and then hopefully win another Nationals series next weekend!
(46-38) GWINNETT STRIPERS
W, 4-3 vs. Charlotte
W, 8-2 vs. Charlotte
SP, K. Wright – 4.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, HR
SP, J. De La Cruz – 4 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, K
SS, O. Arcia – 4 for 7, HR, 3 RBI
CF, C. Pache – 2 for 4, HR, 2B, 2 RBI
RF, T. Demeritte – 1 for 3, HR, 2 RBI
*Travis d’Arnaud hit walk-off home run in Game 1…
*Cristian Pache led off Game 2 with a home run…
(48-36) MISSISSIPPI BRAVES
W, 5-2 vs. Birmingham
SP, B. Elder – (W), 6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, BB, 7 K, HR
2B, W. Rijo – 1 for 4, HR, 2 RBI
3B, C. Alexander – 2 for 4, 2B
C, H. Clementia – 1 for 4, HR, 2 RBI
(37-47) ROME BRAVES
L, 2-1 vs. Greenville
SP, A. Puckett – 5.2 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HR
SS, L. Waddell – 1 for 3, 2B, R, BB
CF, M. Harris – 1 for 4, 2B, RBI, SB
Bold = 2021 draftee
*Reliever Emmanual Ramirez allowed go-ahead RBI double in the seventh.
(34-50) AUGUSTA GREENJACKETS
L, 8-1 vs. Charleston
SP, J. Estes – (L), 4.2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 8 K
2B, V. Grissom – 1 for 3
LF, W. Carter – 1 for 4
RF, C. Robinson – 1 for 3, R
CF, S. Paolini – 1 for 3, BB
C, T. Tolve – 0 for 4, RBI (RBI groudout)
Bold = 2021 draftee
