Atlanta Braves Avoid The Sweep, Beat The Dodgers 3-2

The Atlanta Braves got things going in the top of the 1st inning on Wednesday night by being patient at the plate. Los Angles Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke didn’t have his best stuff early and threw 32 pitches, two walks and gave up a base hit in the 1st inning. Even though the Braves had the bases loaded with one out, they weren’t able to score any runs as newcomer Juan Uribe and A.J. Pierzynski both struck out.

Alex Wood was on the mound for the Braves for the first time in 11 days. He missed his last start after being sick and told reporters he still didn’t feel well until this past Monday. Well, maybe he just always needs that much rest because he came out firing on Wednesday. He pitched seven innings while only allowing seven hits, one run and two walks. He also totaled six strikeouts and picked up the win for the Braves.

The Braves weren’t able to score in the 1st inning, but got on the board in the 3rd inning when Cameron Maybin got a hold of a pitch off Greinke and put it in the left center field bleachers.

Braves lead 1-0

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Maybin has been on a tear since becoming the Braves everyday starting center fielder. He’s hitting .307 with a .856 OPS since May 2 and is currently slotted into the second hole in the Braves lineup.

“I’ve always felt strong, I’m just working on the right things in the cage with [hitting coach Kevin Seitzer]. I’m not trying to do too much. I’m trying to use the whole field and use the right side more than anything. The hard work we’ve put in every day is just a product of that.”

Wood gave up a lead off single to Jimmy Rollins in the 4th inning on a grounder between Uribe and Andrelton Simmons. Wood then got Howie Kendrick to strike out and Adrian Gonzalez to groundout to Freddie Freeman, but this moved Rollins into scoring position. Then, Justin Turner hit a grounder past Jace Peterson that scored Rollins.

Braves and Dodgers tied 1-1

The game was tied until the 8th inning. Chris Hatcher replaced Yimi Garcia (Greinke was removed from the game to start the 7th inning because he had already threw 97 pitches).

Simmons led off the inning with a single to left field and Todd Cunningham, who was hitting for Wood, was walked on four pitches. The Dodgers then replaced Hatcher with Adam Liberatore.

Next, Peterson grounded out moving Simmons to third and removing Cunningham from the bases. Maybin hit a soft fly ball to center field, but it wasn’t enough to get the runner in. Liberatore then threw a wild pitch that scored Simmons and Nick Markakis hit a ground-rule double to deep left field scoring Peterson.

Braves lead 3-1

Jim Johnson pitched a 1-2-3 8th inning with two strikeouts.

Jason Grilli came in to pitch the 9th inning and try to pick up his 14 save of the season. He had some issues though after giving up a 1-out homer to Alex Guerrero and a single to Andre Ethier, but he was able to get the three outs he needed.

Braves WIN 3-2

Grilli gets his 14th save and Wood picked up his third win of the season.

Braves avoid being swept by the Dodgers and are back to .500 for the season with a 23-23 record.

Atlanta now heads to San Francisco to take on the Giants. Shelby Miller is scheduled to pitched on Thursday night.

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