Atlanta Braves Fall To Washington Nationals Despite Alex Wood’s Performance

The Atlanta Braves were going after their first sweep of the season on Sunday afternoon but weren’t able to capture on opportunities when they were presented.  The Washington Nationals beat the Braves 2-1 on the series finale.

First off, Alex Wood pitched amazingly.  Going 7 innings while only giving up four hits and two earned runs.  After giving up a run in the 1st inning, Wood settled and sat 13 batters in a row down.  The run in the 1st inning happened because three back-to-back-to-back singles by the Nationals.

Apr 6, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Alex Wood (40) throws during the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

“I felt good, I got my off-speed working which is probably the best it’s been,” Wood said after the game.  “My fastball command was a little off today, which isn’t usually typical for me, when my fastball command is off it usually effects my secondary stuff pretty drastically   but fortunately I had my changeup and curveball going pretty good.”

The only other run given up by Wood was in the 7th inning when he made a mistake and Ian Desmond destroyed the pitch for a solo home run.

“I made some good pitches and then one bad one there at the end and that’s just how it goes sometimes,” Wood said on the homer.  “We tried to go high and in and just left it over the plate and he did what he is usually trying to do – got a good piece on it.  It was probably the worse pitch I threw all day and he made me pay.  That’s how it goes up here”

“He gaves us a great opportunity to win the game,” Fredi Gonzalez said.  “It’s a shame that he becomes the loser in this game because he really dominate.”

My Take On The Game

The Braves had their chances today, as they left nine runners on base and went 1-9 with runners in scoring position!

Starting with the 2nd inning when Andrelton Simmons was at the plate, with Justin Upton on second base and Gerald Laird on first, he grounds out to third.

Then again in the 4th inning when the bases were loaded with one out and Laird struck out and Simmons again grounds out to third.

In the 6th inning Justin Upton at the plate with runners on second and third and NO OUTS he strikes out with a ball in the dirt.  Then after Dan Uggla (only run of the game) hit a sac fly to score Freeman, Laird hits a lazy pop out to left field to end the inning.

The last chance, Braves get runners on first and second in the 9th inning and Jason Heyward strikes out.

Baseball is a tough game and many chances are lost throughout the game but the Braves had many this afternoon and weren’t able to capitalize on any.

“We didn’t score runs when we had the opportunities,” Gonzalez said.  “We only got one run and they got one more run then we did.  I told you guys before the series, we’re going to have 16 more games like this, one run game.  Someone makes a mistake or someone blinks and that’s how your going to winning a game or losing one.”

Braves fall 2-1 to the Nats but do win the series.  The Miami Marlins now take the lead in the NL East with a 5-2 record.

Off day on Monday for the Braves.  Next game is Tuesday against the New York Mets at Turner Field with a 7:10pm Eastern start time.