Atlanta Braves Offense Once Again Ruin A Nice Performance By Matt Wisler

Braves Wisler Shows Up, Offense Is A Different Story…Lose To Phillies 3-2

The Atlanta Braves should have been well rested after their off-day on Monday and with confidence with Matt Wisler on the mound.  Tuesday marked game one of their three-game series with their divisional rivals the Philadelphia Phillies.  The Phillies came into the game with an 18-14 record…kind of surprising for a team pretty much in the same position rebuilding wise as the Braves.

Wisler’s last start was against the New York Mets as he went eight innings, gave up one hit, no runs, two walks and had four strikeouts.  The Braves offense was able to put a few runs on the board and they won the game 3-0.  Tuesday night, Wisler wasn’t so lucky.

Wisler Whizzing By Nicely

Atlanta’s 23-year-old starting pitcher, went another eight innings on Tuesday, gave up eight hits, three runs, two walks and had two strikeouts.  Maikel Franco hit a homer off Wisler in the 8th inning on a hanging slider.  This was his seventh of the season and put the Phillies on top 3-1.

The last time a Braves pitcher had back to back 8 inning quality starts?  Alex Wood in 2014.  Before that it was Kris Medlen in 2012 and Tim Hudson did it twice in 2010.  So, what I’m getting at is that this doesn’t happen often.

Though Wisler gave up three runs, eight hits and that big home run to Franco, he still pitched a really good game.  He definitely continues to show Braves fans that we have something special right in front of us to build on.

Top Play of The Game

Well, I’m not sure if this is a category or we should just award a winner right away.  In the top of the 6th inning, Ender Inciarte pretended he lost the fly ball in the sky, then makes the catch and fires to first, where Freddie Freeman tagged out Carlos Ruiz to complete the double play.

The play had so many emotions running for me all at once.  When watching and saw him fly up his hands, I admittedly yelled something to the matter “are you *$*#((@ kidding me???”  He then made the catch I was did a quick fist pump and next threw it to first base and I jumped up.  Ha, it was crazy.

Turning The Page At Turner

The Braves are now 1-16 at Turner Field for the 2016 and last won at home on April 19th against the LA Dodgers.

“I dont know what the hecks going on,” Jeff Francoeur told reporters after the game.  “Theres no doubt it’s frustrating…lose by another run tonight”

Fans continue to show up for games at the Ted as the Braves only have 65 more games at the facility we’ve called home since 1997.  Though only 14,490 fans showed up for this Tuesday match-up with the Phillies, Braves Nation continues to be strong.

“You’d like to win games anywhere, it doesn’t matter if you’re playing at a neutral site,” manager Fredi Gonzalez said post game.  “Obviously you’d like to win games at home for your fans who are watching these games and are wearing it just like we all are.  You’d like to win ball games anywhere you can, but you’d like to win more games at home than we have.”

Offense Stayed In The Club House

Atlanta’s offense totaled six hits in the ball game on Tuesday and two game in the 9th inning.  Freddie Freeman crushed a low outside pitch to the opposite field for his fifth home run of the season.

Inciarte went 2-4 at the plate with two singles and a run scored.

Chase d’Arnaud got the start at second base for the Braves and had a double to left field in the 3rd inning.

The other hit in the 9th inning was off the bat of pitch hitter Kelly Johnson.

Looking Ahead Now

We’ll put this game behind us and be back on the field tomorrow for game two of this three game series.  The Braves send Jhoulys Chacin to the mound while the Phillies with send Jerad Eickhoff to the bump.  Game starts at 7:10pm ET at Turner Field.