Atlanta Braves Take Two of Four Games Against the Cincinnati Reds

Braves Dominate Reds In Series Final 7-2

The Atlanta Braves took two of four games from the Cincinnati Reds during this weekday series and were actually had good chances to win every game.  You’re correct if you’re thinking both teams aren’t good ball clubs, but it’s nice to see the Braves being competitive.

Dominate may be a little excessive, but hey we don’t get to say something close to this very often.

The Braves had to battle back in this game after starting pitcher Matt Wisler gave up a run in the 1st inning and the third inning.

Braves Offense

Chase d’Arnaud‘s name keeps popping up…and yes I know this because every time I type it, auto correct fixes it to d’artaud.  How about we do this, Chase led off the 3rd inning with a double and Wisler bunted him over the third.  Mallex Smith then singled in Chase to put the Braves on the board.

A batter later, Freddie Freeman continues to swing a hot bat and blasted a home run over the right center field wall.  This gave the Braves a 3-2 lead.

In the 5th inning, Nick Markakis hit a deep line drive to right field which scored Smith and Ender Inciarte.  Braves lead 5-2.

Then Adonis Garica hit a single to move Markakis to third.  Jace Peterson then hit a line drive between first base and second base to score Markakis.  Braves lead 6-2.

Peterson’s name comes back up as he singled again to plate Freddie Freeman.  Braves now take a 7-2 lead!

Braves offense totals nine hits on Thursday and had 43 hits in the past four games.

Freeman went 3-4 with two RBIs and two runs

Peterson went 2-3 with two RBIs

Markakis went 1-4 with two RBIs and one run scored

Smith went 1-4 with one RBI, two runs scored, a walk and two stolen bases (13 for the season)

Braves Pitching

Wisler had another solid game on the mound.  He went 6.2 innings, giving up eight hits, two runs, two walks and had five strikeouts.  He improves his 2016 record (like it matters) to 3-7 with a 4.23 ERA.

Ian Krol relieved Wisler and lasted two innings (couldn’t get the final out of the game), giving up no hits, two walks (both in the 9th) and had three strikeouts.  In Krol’s last four appearances, he’s giving up only two hits, no runs, two walks and four strikeouts.  I think we may have something here!

Arodys Vizcaino came into the game in the 9th inning to record the final out of the ball game.  Vizzy came into the game after Krol walked Zack Cozart with two outs in the 9th.  On the first pitch he threw, Joey Votto swung and hit a fly ball to center field to end the game.

Injury Concern?

Adonis Garcia exited the game in the bottom of the 7th inning due to mild left ankle soreness.  From the replay, it looks as though he even sprained it 1) when he turned to run to second 2) when he slowed as the ball was heading his way or 3) when he rounded second base.  He’s considered day to day.

“He’ll be all right,” Brian Snitker said after the game. “It’s just got to get taped up.”

As good as Garcia is playing, we don’t want to lose him.  He’s actually played really well at third base and 12 base hits in his last 30 at-bats.  The 31-year-old has only two errors at third base since his return from Gwinnett.  One of which came last night.

Garcia should be fine and could play tomorrow against the Mets.  It’s possible they give him a day of rest, but he’ll be fine.