Game Recap: Atlanta Braves Break Out the Wood and Manhandle Snakes, 8-1
Jun 1, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) celebrates with Andrelton Simmons (19) after hitting a two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fifth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
13 hits, 3 walks, crooked numbers on the scoreboard in multiple places, pitchers getting hits – and even a monster home run. This game had it all.
The Atlanta Braves, clearly in a good mood after leaving San Francisco, routed a tired Arizona Diamondbacks team in the first of a three game set in Phoenix by an 8-1 count.
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Alex Wood continues to get better over the past few starts: this one went 8 complete innings, scattering 7 hits and yielding just 1 earned run. Just 4 strikeouts, but no walks were recorded (despite 113 pitches). 15 fly balls were turned into outs – some with impressive athleticism – but the big ballpark held them.
Except for one big fly – but that one was hit by Freddie Freeman… his 3rd in three days.
We know about the swimming pool in right center field. I don’t ever recall seeing a ball hit onto the concourse above and beyond that pool – and that’s where this ball ended up: estimated at 451 feet away from home plate. This matches a shot from Mark Trumbo on April 28 – hit to the same concourse in left center – as the longest at Chase Field this season.
Hit Parade
Arizona starter Archie Bradley took the loss, giving up 8 hits, the 3 walks, and 5 earned runs. He had a decent start: a single by Andrelton Simmons was erased by a double play, then in the second inning a Markakis single was likewise snuffed when Juan Uribe hit into a DP.
But as we’ve occasionally seen with Braves’ pitchers, that third out often proves to be elusive.
That second inning lingered for Bradley: a single by A.J. Pierzynski, double by Jonny Gomes, an intentional walk, then a single by Alex Wood to score 2 runs. Another Simmons’ single plated a third run. At this point Bradley was shell-shocked and the Braves were on their way – never seriously being challenged during the evening.
How easy was it? Trevor Cahill came in to mop up for an uneventful 9th inning – getting a bit of personal satisfaction given Arizona dumped him on Atlanta as the season got underway.
Simmons went 3 for 5; Freeman went 3 for 5, Markakis went 2 for 5. Everyone in the original lineup (save for Todd Cunningham) got at least one hit, taking full advantage of an Arizona club that had played 17 innings – and lost – the night before. And despite being shut out of the hit column, Cunningham still reached base twice while also successfully diving for a fly ball in the 7th.
Tonight: Shelby Miller aims to continue this 3-game winning streak that has pushed the Braves up into the conversation of the NL East – 2.5 games behind the tied Mets and Nationals. Gametime 9pm EDT/8 Central.